Wiretapping of the Last Generation's press contact is legal
The Munich District Court has rejected several complaints by journalists against the telephone surveillance of a Last Generation press contact. According to the court in Munich on Wednesday, the significant threat to public safety posed by the actions of the climate activists justified this interference with the freedom of the press. The wiretapping in the course of investigations on suspicion of forming a criminal organization was an "intensive, albeit brief, intervention".
Around five months ago, it had become known that the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office had tapped several telephone lines, including a press telephone of the group, at the behest of the Munich Public Prosecutor General's Office in the fall of 2022. The wiretapping was carried out with the approval of the Munich district court. The measure led to fierce criticism. Those affected can lodge an appeal against the new decision of the local court with the Munich I Regional Court.
The court's decision to authorize wiretapping highlights the complexity of balancing environmental activism, as represented by the Last Generation, with public safety concerns. This incident has sparked debates within the media about the role of justice in protecting the environment and ensuring freedom of the press.
Source: www.dpa.com
