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Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP): "A road blockade can be punished as coercion"
Photo: POOL / REUTERS
From the point of view of Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP), prison sentences are also possible for climate activists in certain cases.
»Anyone who throws at works of art can be prosecuted for damage to property.
A roadblock can be punished as coercion.
And if ambulances are slowed down, criminal liability for negligent bodily harm can also be considered,” he told the “Bild” newspaper.
“In addition to fines, laws also provide for imprisonment in certain cases.” These laws also have to be enforced.
Green politician Renate Künast said this form of protest would lead to a "dead end".
Künast continues: "If the core of the problem is no longer discussed, but only the question 'is this a legitimate protest' - the same with the subject of pictures and museums," she told RBB Inforadio.
“I don't think it makes sense.
It's a dead end."
Scholz criticized the protest
Climate activists of the "last generation" had recently demonstrated with sensational actions.
According to the fire brigade, a traffic blockade by climate activists at the end of October delayed the rescue of a critically injured cyclist.
Activists in Potsdam's Barbarini Museum had previously thrown mashed potatoes at a painting worth more than 100 million euros.
Nothing happened to the work of art because it was protected by a layer of glass.
Actions of this kind are currently happening more frequently – also abroad.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz had criticized radical climate activists from the group "Last Generation" for their forms of protest.
Scholz said he was "depressed" about hearing about certain incidents, such as damage to works of art.
He could only appeal that, when taking action, one always has to consider that the protest does not endanger others.
Scholz also criticized actions in which works of art would be permanently damaged.
“I think there are other ways of expressing your opinion.
Maybe some creativity could help.«
til/dpa
