Did Michael Ballweg wrongfully solicit donations? This question must now be clarified by the Stuttgart Regional Court.
The trial against the “Querdenken” initiator Michael Ballweg for attempted fraud in 9450 cases begins on October 2nd at the Stuttgart Regional Court. This was announced by a court spokesman. Initially, over 30 days of hearings are scheduled before the economic crimes division until the end of April next year.
According to previous statements by the public prosecutor’s office, Ballweg is said to have raised more than one million euros in donations for the organization through public appeals from thousands of people, but deceived the donors about how the funds were used. Ballweg had always denied the allegations. His lawyer Reinhard Löffler said the defense was of the opinion that the allegations were baseless. The proceedings would confirm this. Ballweg was taken into custody in Stuttgart-Stammheim correctional facility in June 2022, but was released from there in April 2023.
The criminal division of the regional court had initially not admitted the charge of attempted fraud. However, the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court upheld an appeal by the public prosecutor against the non-admission. The criminal proceedings are now being brought before the economic criminal division. The charge of money laundering has been finally dropped.
Ballweg also has to answer to the court on suspicion of tax evasion. The “lateral thinking” movement formed in Stuttgart in many German cities during the Corona pandemic. The supporters repeatedly demonstrated publicly against the political measures to contain the virus. There were also attacks on police officers and media representatives.
Four years after the first major demonstration of the “lateral thinking” movement in Berlin, several thousand demonstrators marched through the capital again this weekend. Some participants waved flags with the dove of peace. Others called on banners for a “review of the corona measures” and “consequences for those responsible”. The demonstration was registered by Ballweg.
According to police, around 20,000 participants protested against the Corona measures at a demonstration by the “lateral thinkers” on August 2, 2020 in Berlin – according to the organizers’ estimates at the time, the number was many times higher.
Regional Court of Stuttgart
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
