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Greenpeace protest: snipers had pilots in their sights

2021-06-19T12:44:41.426Z


Shortly before the German European Championship opening game in Munich, a Greenpeace paramotor pilot fell into the arena. According to Bavaria's Minister of the Interior Herrmann, an unacceptable action - which could have ended much worse.


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Crash landing in the Olympic Stadium: Lord Mayor Reiter has no understanding for this

Photo: Lukas Barth-Tuttas / POOL / EPA

The paramotor pilot who crashed into the stadium at the European Football Championship may not have been shot at thanks to the "Greenpeace" lettering on his paraglider.

"It could have turned out very differently, even for the pilot," said Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) to SPIEGEL.

“If the police had come to the conclusion that it was a terrorist attack, he would have had to pay for it with his life.

The snipers deployed had him already in their sights. "

Herrmann announced that the Bavarian police will step up air surveillance at the next three European Championship games in Munich, especially together with the helicopter squadron.

Herrmann had previously told the "Bild" newspaper: "Because of the inscription 'Greenpeace', they did not allow snipers to intervene here."

Public prosecutor's office examines preliminary investigations

The glider should not have been in the air space above the stadium.

The Federal Ministry of Transport had set a restricted flight area around the arena within a radius of 5.56 kilometers, as the government of Upper Bavaria announced on request.

No air traffic should have taken place in this area.

The order existed for the period from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The pilot was traveling with a motorized paraglider, which is one of the ultralight aircraft.

A license is required for this device.

The flights do not have to be registered, but the aircraft are compulsory for the airport.

As a rule, they are only allowed to take off from approved airfields - where that was in this case is still unclear.

The Luftamt Südbayern had no prior knowledge of the paramotor pilot's flight.

Meanwhile, the Munich public prosecutor's office is examining the opening of an investigation against the 38-year-old Greenpeace pilot.

The prosecution is investigating whether the man from Baden-Württemberg could have committed a criminal offense for endangering air traffic, trespassing and / or negligent bodily harm.

The investigation was officially started and is still in its infancy.

It is currently unclear whether criminal charges were also filed.

Because parts of the aircraft fell to the ground, apparently injuring two people, investigations into dangerous bodily harm may also come under consideration, according to the prosecutor.

Pilot free again

The paramotor pilot was arrested in the stadium on Tuesday evening.

In the meantime, he is free again due to the lack of danger of escape and blackout.

During the unsuccessful protest, it initially flew over the stadium and tried to drop a large yellow ball into the arena.

In doing so, however, he got caught in a steel cable construction on the stadium roof and began to spin.

In pictures you can see how he grazed some viewers.

"As things stand, we have two injured men who have been taken to the hospital for further medical treatment," a police spokesman had said.

There is still no information about the severity of the injuries.

The incident fueled the debate about Greenpeace actions.

Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter announced: “I have absolutely no understanding for such actions, especially if they endanger other people.” The SPD politician wished the injured a speedy recovery and said: “I assume that the so-called activist is criminally liable is prosecuted. "

The Bavarian Interior Minister Herrmann called the action "extremely irresponsible and indisputable".

It was "completely unjustifiable from the start, not just because it has now gone wrong."

Herrmann said: »Many people's life and limb are in danger here.

That is absolutely inconsiderate towards spectators and everyone involved in the stadium.

That has nothing to do with environmental protection.

That must also have serious consequences under criminal law. "

Meanwhile, leading Union and FDP politicians are calling for Greenpeace's non-profit status to be questioned.

After Friedrich Merz had already expressed himself accordingly, Herrmann also asked SPIEGEL "to put Greenpeace's charitable status to the test."

He condemns that Greenpeace »repeatedly starts such 'breakneck' actions«.

The legal policy spokesman for the Union parliamentary group called Greenpeace a “repeat offender” according to the “Handelsblatt” - and demanded that environmentalists “clearly distance themselves and take precautions that such illegal actions are not repeated”.

It was not until the end of May that Greenpeace caused a sensation with an illegal campaign: activists had stolen hundreds of car keys from the VW plant in Emden - and exhibited them for collection on the Schneeerner Glacier on the Zugspitze, which was badly affected by climate change.

"Without meaning and understanding"

The FDP parliamentary group vice Michael Theurer accused Greenpeace in the »Handelsblatt« of having endangered human lives »without sense or understanding«.

That was also the case with the paint campaign on the Berlin Victory Column three years ago.

"Such an accumulation of extremely unsightly incidents should lead to the charitable nature of this association being scrutinized."

CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt has meanwhile asked the organization to provide comprehensive information about further actions.

"Greenpeace must now state whether further actions are planned or were in the context of the European Football Championship," said Dobrindt.

Greenpeace must clarify who the originators of these ideas are and how the organization ensures that there is no further danger to the public and the people involved.

Source: spiegel

All life articles on 2021-06-19

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