Civil servant, residing in Germany, fatally kills spouse and child; continues to collect pension benefits. - Spouse and child murdered by German military official; retirement benefits unchanged
In a unique and controversial case, Thomas Handrick, a German man who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Spain for the murder of his wife and older son in Tenerife, continues to receive his pension in Leipzig, Saxony-Anhalt.
The court proceedings, which took place in Leipzig, were not in a German court, but rather involved the Court of Appeals, or BVerwG. The Spanish court did not consider the murder a gender-specific crime, a term not defined in German law known as "feminicide".
However, the Federal Employment Agency argued in the proceedings that Handrick's actions violated human rights and the free democratic basic order. The agency's stance suggests that the murder was seen as a heinous act that went against the fundamental principles of a democratic society.
Despite being convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, Handrick was ordered to pay around 300,000 euros in damages to the surviving son and relatives of his victim. This payment was likely a result of the Spanish court's decision to hold him accountable for his actions, even if it did not classify the crime as a gender-specific one.
It is important to note that had the case been tried in a German court, Handrick's pension would have been withdrawn. This discrepancy raises questions about the jurisdiction and consistency of pension rights for convicted criminals.
The location of the court hearing was not specified in the paragraphs provided. The case has sparked a significant amount of debate and discussion, with many questioning the fairness of a convicted murderer receiving a pension while serving a life sentence abroad.
This case serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances involved in international law and the administration of justice. As the case continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how it impacts both German and Spanish law, as well as the wider discussion on the rights and responsibilities of convicted criminals.
