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Christoph Metzelder
Photo: SASCHA STEINBACH / POOL / EPA
The Düsseldorf District Court has sentenced former national soccer player Christoph Metzelder to a ten-month suspended prison sentence for forwarding child and youth pornographic files.
The verdict is not yet legally binding.
Shortly before, Metzelder had made a partial confession.
The 40-year-old admitted the procurement and forwarding of 18 child and youth pornographic files.
He did not admit to owning nearly 300 files, which is also charged.
»I obtained incriminated images and made screenshots on freely accessible websites.
I exchanged extreme fantasies in the chat, ”said Metzelder in his admission.
»I accept the punishment and ask forgiveness from the victims of sexual violence.
I will have to live with this guilt as part of society for the rest of my life ”.
Metzelder wants to give back awards
Metzelder initially made a brief statement at the beginning of the process. Among other things, he gave biographical details. He went on to say that the search was a turning point and that he has been living in seclusion since then. The former professional footballer announced that he would return all public awards, regardless of the outcome of the proceedings. In 2011, Metzelder received the Order of Merit of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia for his social commitment. A few years later, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented him with the Cross of Merit on ribbon.
After Metzelder admitted, the trial was suspended for an hour.
The parties withdrew to a legal discussion.
According to Judge Stammerjohann, there were no communication-related discussions with the defense beforehand.
Metzelder's lawyer brought a so-called deal into play in an RTL interview.
ptz / dpa / sid