Search of last generation after blockade at Frankfurt airport
On July 25th, eight activists from the 'Last Generation' movement glued themselves to the airport grounds to protest for better climate protection. According to airport operator Fraport, this resulted in around 230 out of 1400 planned flights being cancelled.
The eight individuals, aged between 20 and 44, were temporarily detained but later released. The police and public prosecutor's office have now announced that they are investigating them on suspicion of coercion, criminal damage, and trespassing.
Search warrants for their homes were issued and executed on Thursday morning in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. DNA samples were also taken from the suspects to be compared with trace evidence.
On Thursday afternoon, 'Last Generation' announced that despite the "massive intimidation attempt by the authorities," they would expand their protest. They called on all supporters to "peacefully express their concerns about the escalating climate crisis at all airports in the country."
The managing director of the airport association ADV, Ralph Beisel, offered the group a dialogue. "The aviation industry and especially German airports take responsibility," he stated.
Hesse's interior minister, Roman Poseck (CDU), welcomed the action of the law enforcement authorities. "They must feel the severity of our rule of law," he said in reference to the activists who had glued themselves to the airport. He is confident that "a clear punishment by the judiciary will follow soon."
Following their home searches and DNA sampling, the police continue to investigate the activists from 'Last Generation' on charges of coercion, criminal damage, and trespassing. Despite the intimidation tactics, the movement announced plans to expand their protests at all airports in Germany.
