Robert Habeck: No further investigations into ferry protests

The video scenes seemed dramatic. In the footage from January 4, 2024, an angry crowd of around 250 to 300 people could be seen preventing Economics Minister Robert Habeck from leaving the ferry at the ferry pier in Schlüttsiel, Schleswig-Holstein.

The anger was triggered by the cuts in agricultural subsidies announced by the traffic light and hit the Green politician at the end of a short vacation in Hallig Hooge. On the urgent advice of his bodyguards from the BKA, Habeck finally decided not to leave the ferry. He set off again with her and was only able to return to the mainland hours later.

Politicians from almost all parties strongly condemned the blockade afterwards, but the farmers’ association distanced itself. But were crimes also committed? The public prosecutor’s office examined this question for a year. The result is now available: the proceedings are largely discontinued.

According to a press release from the authorities, participants in the demonstration could not have been identified with regard to the accusation of coercion or of threats and insults.

And further: “The criminal offense of breach of the peace (Section 125 StGB), which is also considered, is ruled out for factual reasons, as there is a lack of concrete evidence that violent activities are targeted and organized, ie in cooperation with others
participants.”

So are those who thought the incident was exaggerated by the media and politicians right? It’s not quite that simple. The police decided on a de-escalation strategy on site and did not record a single person. This makes it difficult to assign crimes afterwards, especially in confusing situations such as demonstrations. Without clear attribution, but no charges.

Even the numerous videos were only of limited help. For there was a commotion and it was dark. The evaluation “the extremely poor quality of the extensively secured film and image material due to the darkness” have “no insights” brought, the public prosecutor states in its press release.

There were different statements from the many eyewitnesses. In fact, some felt harassed by the crowd as they exited the ferry. Others, however, said that it was safe to leave the ship at any time.

Robert Habeck’s security officers came to the conclusion that leaving the ferry was too dangerous for the minister. However, they were federal officials who did not know the situation and mood on site well and may have assessed things differently than those who knew the area.

The investigation continues on a single point. A demonstrator is said to have defied police instructions at the ramp to the ferry. He could be identified. “The accused is accused of breaking through the police cordon in Schlüttsiel on the ramp to the ferry pier there in the evening hours of January 4, 2024″says the press release.

The case against the man has been separated. It is still completely unclear whether there will ultimately be an indictment.

Robert Habeck must have suspected that the Schlüttsiel incident would be doubly problematic for him. The Green politician, who repeatedly files criminal charges against him online, has not filed a single complaint in the Schlüttsiel case.