What else is covered by freedom of expression, where does insult begin? Lower Franconia's District President Dotzel has described a party colleague as a "right louse" - now he has to answer in criminal proceedings.
Obernburg am Main (dpa / lby) - Lower Franconia's district president Erwin Dotzel has to answer to the Obernburg district court on Thursday (10 a.m.) for insult. Only one day of trial is scheduled, a verdict could come on the same day. According to the court, only the allegedly injured party is called as a witness.
The public prosecutor's office in Aschaffenburg accuses Dotzel of having called a fellow party member a "right louse" in a group chat of the CSU local branch in Wörth am Main last September. Therefore, the authority had applied to the district court for the issuance of a penalty order for insult and the imposition of a fine - the court complied. Dotzel should therefore pay 20 daily rates of 160 euros each. He lodged an objection to this, so it is now going to a main hearing.
Dotzel must appear in court in person. He has been District President since 2007. Insult can be punished with imprisonment or a fine.
When asked by the dpa, Dotzel has so far not wanted to comment on the allegations. He once told the "Main-Echo" that he had nothing to take back in terms of content, only the phrase "right louse". "Right-wing attitude" would have been a better wording.
In July, Dotzel was sentenced to pay compensation of 750 euros to the alleged victim in civil proceedings before the Aschaffenburg district court. The verdict is not yet final - both sides have appealed. Now the Higher Regional Court of Bamberg has to deal with the case.
