Munich (dpa / lby) - Bavaria's Minister of Justice Georg Eisenreich has no understanding for climate activists who stick or attack works of art. "Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression end where criminal law begins," said the CSU politician, according to the announcement. "Climate protection does not justify crime." Freedom of assembly is "a great asset of our constitution," said Eisenreich, who is currently chairman of the conference of justice ministers. Everyone can "voice their opinion in Germany and demonstrate peacefully and without weapons". But: "Climate protection yes. Criminal offenses no."
The Justice Department listed some possible criminal offenses that protesters could potentially commit with their actions: Gluing themselves to streets could be a criminal offense of coercion, if they set off a fire alarm, it could be a criminal offense of misusing emergency services.
According to information from Monday, 15 climate activists from the group "Scientist Rebellion" remain in police custody in Munich after a series of street blockades and sticking actions. To avert danger, they would be detained by court order until Friday at the latest to prevent further announced actions, said a police spokesman.
The "Last Generation" group threatened motorway blockades around Munich for the coming days. Bavaria is symbolic of Germany's climate failure; the federal government is failing "and leading us to annihilation," the group said. "The resistance is just beginning."
