Michael Ballweg is an idol for the "lateral thinker" scene, as he founded the protest movement against the Corona policy. For days, however, he has been in custody for alleged criminal activities. Now there is a call to visibly support the 47-year-old.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - Supporters want to show their solidarity with the imprisoned "lateral thinking" founder Michael Ballweg on Saturday (3 p.m.) in front of the Stuttgart-Stammheim correctional facility. According to a spokesman, the city expects a low three-digit number of participants. Applicants are two "lateral thinkers" initiatives. One of the co-organizers of the demo said 300 participants had registered. "There could be a few hundred more." On the Internet, the organizers are calling for people to come to Stuttgart under the motto "Free Michael Ballweg". Those arriving from Berlin, for example, are expected.
The Stuttgart public prosecutor's office is investigating fraud and money laundering against the 47-year-old Ballweg. He has been in custody since Wednesday last week because of the risk of absconding. The allegations are about a "higher six-digit amount". According to information from legal circles, there is a suspicion of fraud in the amount of around 640,000 euros and money laundering in the amount of around 430,000 euros.
A team of defense lawyers wants to check, among other things, to what extent the investigations are politically motivated. The "lateral thinking" movement was formed in many German cities from Stuttgart in the course of the corona pandemic. The supporters repeatedly demonstrate publicly against the political measures to contain the virus.
