Death threats against prime ministers. A soldier says of politicians that their bodies will be “scattered in the fields”. Opponents of the corona measures have apparently further radicalized.
In some forums of vaccination opponents and corona deniers, the tone has become more radical since last autumn – there are even more calls for killing.
During research in Telegram chat rooms, 250 calls to death have been found since mid-November, reported “tagesschau.de” on Wednesday. These were directed against politicians, scientists, doctors and journalists, among others.
This coincides with the findings of the security authorities. It has been said that there has been an increase here since autumn. Telegram is still the most important channel for the dissemination of such statements, which in the chats usually went undisputed.
Little action by the authorities against the platform operator
The German Association of Journalists (DJV) called on Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) to take tough and decisive action against senders of calls for murder and violence on Telegram. “We journalists experience hostility from the camp of vaccination opponents and corona deniers every day,” said the DJV federal chairman Frank Überall on Wednesday.
Faeser had told the ARD capital studio on Tuesday with a view to protest actions by opponents of the state measures to combat pandemic: “Of course, the right of assembly applies. And I am sure that the security authorities will implement it everywhere ». This means that a meeting will be dissolved if it is not registered. “And when violence happens, of course we take action.” Threats and violence could not be tolerated. “When people become radical and abusive, then I think they have reached a limit. Then the rule of law must also take forceful action. “
Efforts by the federal government to hold the operator of the platform accountable have so far come to nothing. “We are really in the process of pushing ahead,” said a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Justice. In 2021, the Federal Office of Justice initiated two fine proceedings against Telegram, which is based in the United Arab Emirates. According to the ministry, the reason was that opportunities to complain about criminal content were not easily identifiable and accessible.
Lawyers warn: Maintain freedom on the Internet
The spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Steve Alter, pointed out that the police authorities not only looked at the providers of violence and threats on social networks, but also tried to establish the identity of those who said something. Although this does not always result in arrests, it is a prerequisite for criminal prosecution.
The German Lawyers’ Association warned against giving up the rule of law just because a desired political purpose was being pursued. “Even in the fight against the law, anti-democratic conspiracy ideologies, Reich citizens and radicalizing lateral thinkers, we must not throw constitutional principles overboard,” said General Manager Sylvia Ruge. It is right to put a stop to those who act against democracy, the Basic Law and an enlightened, pluralistic society. However, this should not tempt you to question freedoms.
Source From: Stern
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