- Nearly two years of imprisonment for an environmental protester due to participate in demonstrations.
After joining in protest sit-ins, a 65-year-old activist from the environmental group "Final Chance" in Berlin was given a prison sentence without probation. The elderly man was convicted at the Tiergarten Local Court, as reported by a court representative. He was given a sentence of one year and ten months, as stated. The charges against him included coercion, attempted coercion, and resisting law enforcement officers.
The verdict is not yet finalized. The trial centered around street blockades the man participated in, with the court representative stating that he had also attached himself to the roadway in certain instances. A total of 40 cases were heard in court.
The defense argued for an acquittal.
The prosecution had reportedly asked for over two years of imprisonment, while the defense sought acquittal. The court will soon release the reasoning behind the judgement. The trial began in November 2023.
At the start of the trial, the court proposed a plea bargain. The man was offered a year of probation in exchange for a confession, but the defense declined the offer.
"Final Chance" announces appeal
In a statement, "Final Chance" announced that the 65-year-old intends to appeal the verdict. They stated in the release that the justice system struggles to handle protests, and that instead of balancing conflicting fundamental rights, as required by the constitution, 'enemy criminal law' is being applied in this situation.
Just last July, a climate activist was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment for paint attacks and street blockades in Berlin.
The 65-year-old activist, following his conviction, will serve a year and ten months in imprisonment due to his actions in the protest sit-ins. Despite the defense's argument for acquittal and a plea bargain offer of probation being declined, "Final Chance" has announced their intent to appeal the verdict, criticizing the justice system's handling of protests and the application of 'enemy criminal law'.
