Investigations: House search after alleged Habeck insult on X

Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has filed a criminal complaint for being called an “imbecile” on Platform X. The suspect – a 64-year-old man from Lower Franconia – has now been searched, as the Bamberg public prosecutor announced. The media had previously reported. Those around Habeck were astonished by the search.

“Imbecile PROFESSIONAL”

The man is accused of having uploaded an image file to X in spring 2024 that showed a portrait photo of Habeck. Underneath it was read: “Imbecile PROFESSIONAL”. This is apparently related to the brand of a hair wash manufacturer “Schwarzkopf Professionell”. The investigators said: “A criminal complaint was filed by Dr. Habeck.”The Schweinfurt criminal police searched the 64-year-old’s apartment in the Haßberge district last Tuesday and seized a tablet. The investigation is ongoing. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the reason for the house search was “suspicion of an insult directed against people in political life.”

The search was in connection with a nationwide day of action against anti-Semitic hate crime online. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the 64-year-old is also facing another accusation: According to this, he is said to have uploaded an image file to

Habeck’s environment: Case was presented to him together with others

People close to Habeck said that his Bundestag office had been made aware of the post by the Bavarian police and was asked whether he wanted to file a criminal complaint. According to the report, the case was then presented to Habeck, along with other cases involving threats and serious insults. Habeck has filed a criminal complaint. The suspicion of incitement, for which the man is also being investigated, is of course more serious, it was said.

“The fact that a court-ordered search of the accused’s house took place is solely the decision of the law enforcement authorities and the courts,” said those close to Habeck. “They alone decide whether cases should be prosecuted, what means are appropriate and will be used.” Habeck was neither informed about this nor involved. People were surprised about the house search if it was carried out solely because of the criminal complaint. We have only now found out about the other allegations against the man.

Press release from the public prosecutor’s office