Failure of quick processes for climate activists: evidence and formal error lead to the termination of the negotiations
Failure of quick processes for climate activists: evidence and formal error lead to the termination of the negotiations
Title: Difficulties in carrying out faster criminal processes for climate activists
subtitle: Current balance sheet after eight weeks shows: Fast procedure in connection with climate glue fails
by Anne Losensky
Berlin-The Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (50, CDU) had asked in May to introduce accelerated procedures for climate glue. But after eight weeks the dishes take a sobering balance: all previous quick process attempts have failed.
The first attempt took place on July 11th. Julian L. (35) from Regensburg was brought to trial in Friedrichshain for a street blockade eight months ago. The judge gave up after hours of negotiation. The facts seemed simple, but the evidence was unclear and therefore unsuitable for a quick process.
The second attempt, set for July 18, was canceled. Mandus C. (39) should answer for a street blockade on November 11, 2022 in Friedrichshain. On the evening before, however, it became known that the video material did not have to be recovered in time and witnesses. Because of these circumstances, the judge decided to cancel the process.
On the same day, Simon S. (26) should also be judged in the quick procedure. It was about color smearings at the FDP party center in the middle on April 13, 2023. But here too there was a formal error. The defense lawyer had accidentally not invited to the formal path provided for this purpose, whereby the court had to remedy the appointment.
The difficulties in implementing these quick procedures show that the desire for accelerated procedures for climate activists cannot be implemented as easily as some politicians hope for. Careful evidence and compliance with formal requirements are required to ensure fair processes.
The current developments raise questions about how effective the judiciary is in the persecution of crimes in connection with climate protection. Climate activists are increasingly focusing on civil disobedience to draw attention to the urgency of climate change. Road blocks and color smearings on political buildings are becoming increasingly common.
The topics of judicial judgments, climate activists, climate glue and climate protection are closely linked and will continue to provide discussions. It remains to be seen how the judiciary will deal with these challenges in the future and whether there are solutions to enable fair processes to be quick and at the same time. However, the previous experiences suggest that this will not be an easy task.