They interfered with the IAA. - Person found guilty of environmental crime
Approximately 40 supporters of the defendant held a protest outside the courthouse during the trial this week. The courtroom was also full.
The incident in question involved a climate activist sitting atop a car with a banner at the "VW Open Space" on Odeonsplatz as part of the "Sand im Getriebe" protest campaign to promote environmental transition.
It is reported that this caused minor dents in the car's roof. The alleged amount of damage: 4000 euros. However, the court found this figure to be implausible and it was actually less.
►The court essentially sided with the defense's argument that the car advertising by the IAA represented a "justifiable state of emergency for legitimizing the defendant's actions" in light of the climate crisis. However, the protester had not picked the least aggressive approach and therefore deemed the state of emergency "illegal."
The outcome: Cosimo was fined 15 daily rates of 15 euros each, leaving him without a criminal record.
Luise Weil, spokesperson for "Sand im Getriebe," harshly criticized the ruling: "Given that this action lasted only 25 seconds before Cosimo was forcibly removed from the roof of his car by police and other protest actions at the IAA were also thwarted by a heavy police presence, the verdict of the Munich District Court aligns with the suppression of free speech by state authorities at the IAA."
Cosimo's defense lawyers plan to appeal the case, so there will be another trial. Next year, the action alliance intends to protest against the IAA in Munich again.
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Source: symclub.org
