Fine for Orlamünder: Hasspost sentenced to Federal President

Fine for Orlamünder: Hasspost sentenced to Federal President

A sensational case currently employs the courts in Thuringia: A 65-year-old from Orlamünde was sentenced to a fine of 1,800 euros for a custody Facebook post that was directed against Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In his comment, the man had formulated insults and threatening statements, including the insulting term "Nazi pig" and the desire that a Hamas bomb hit him. These extremely sharp words left the court no choice than judging that they significantly exceed the limits of freedom of expression. According to Tag24 of the Criminal Code, which is considered a crime of the "danger of the democratic constitutional state".

The procedure that was negotiated at the Gera district court received special attention because it was classified as a matter of state protection. This means that the protection of high constitutional organs is in the foreground here, and it can be guessed that society is sensitive to disrespectful statements against its representatives even in these times. The defendant admitted the authorship of the post during the court hearing, which may have had an impact on the judgment that is not yet final, such as N-tv reported.

The context of the statements

How can such violent statements come about? Such hate comments are not only an expression of personal resentment, but also reflect social tensions. Especially at a time when the debate about democratic values ​​and respect in cooperation boils again and again, the condemnation of such a comment is a sign that the judiciary sets clear limits in Germany.

Especially in social media, the impression is often given that you can hand out with impunity against public life. But the judgments that fall in this context show that this hustle and bustle is put forward. In Germany, there are clear rules that must also be enforced in a rule of law.