Strobl justifies passing on the lawyer's letter
Created: 05/18/2022, 16:12
Thomas Strobl (CDU), Interior Minister of Baden-Württemberg.
© Marijan Murat/dpa
Baden-Württemberg's Minister of the Interior, Thomas Strobl, has again justified himself in the affair of passing on a lawyer's letter to a journalist in the Interior Committee.
It was right to "put the public spotlight on this process," said the CDU politician on Wednesday in Stuttgart.
In the letter, the lawyer for a suspended high-ranking police officer asked for a face-to-face meeting with the ministry.
Stuttgart – The officer is being investigated for sexual harassment.
Strobl now said he had the impression that the accused police officer wanted to make a "deal" on the short official route.
However, the minister conceded that the letter was passed on: “One can criticize whether it was the last word of wisdom to give it to a single journalist.
I'm responsible for that.” Strobl is under a lot of pressure in the affair.
The public prosecutor's office is investigating against him on suspicion of prohibited disclosure of court hearings.
The minister argues that he did not reveal any official secrets.
His State Secretary Julian Würtenberger said on Wednesday: "Where there is no secret, there can be no violation of legal interests." The opposition sees it differently and is demanding Strobl's resignation.
more on the subject
Police affair: public prosecutors are investigating BaWü Minister Strobl
Further investigations against Interior Minister Strobl
Strobl: Minister of the Interior considers allegations of "sensationalism"
Like politicians in the green-black coalition, the minister criticized the fact that the SPD and FDP constantly gave tips and recommendations to the public prosecutor.
"I am advocating that we let the public prosecutor's office do its work uninfluenced and independently." The minister also tried to draw attention to the starting point of the affair.
It's about allegations of sexual harassment.
"I ask you, even in your fury against me or against whoever, not to lose sight of that." dpa