Corona demo has an aftermath: meeting leader sentenced to fine for coercion
Created: 11/30/2022, 5:17 p.m
Impression of one of the so-called walks.
© Archive
A leader of a so-called Corona walk approached a press photographer during such a demo in Fürstenfeldbruck.
The case ended up in the district court.
Fürstenfeldbruck - For almost a year, opponents of the Corona measures have been organizing a so-called walk through Bruck's city center every Monday evening.
In April there was a confrontation between a leader of the meeting and a press photographer during one of the regular actions since then.
Now both met again in front of the Brucker district court.
The accused was sentenced to a fine of 90 daily rates of 40 euros each - i.e. 3600 euros - for coercion.
Disabled in the exercise of the profession
The photojournalist, who works for a local newspaper, had already been sent to several meetings of the "Monday Walkers" on behalf of her editors before the incident.
As early as February, when the accused was active as a co-organizer at an information stand on the Geschwister-Scholl-Platz for the citizens' initiative "FFB Sticks Together", he did not want to be photographed, according to the journalist.
When the two met again in April at a Monday demo at the Volksfestplatz and the photographer wanted to shoot a video, "she held the cell phone in front of my face at a distance of 30 to 40 centimeters," said the leader of the meeting at the hearing.
He felt harassed and tried to push the phone away.
Even after viewing the video, it was not possible to clarify in court whether there was direct physical contact.
Nevertheless, the photographer was impeded in her professional practice, which is why the public prosecutor brought charges.
The journalist called as a witness stated in court that she felt threatened after various "walker" incidents "because people know my address".
Since then she has had to overcome herself in order to be able to attend such appointments, she has been traumatized and is in therapy.
"But it's part of my job," she said in court.
Look scares
An incident in January had a particularly strong impact on her.
"When I was threatened, the police just looked on and I felt let down."
When the accused approached her at another demo in April, "his confused look scared me".
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The man, in turn, declared in court that "the woman is super hysterical."
He didn't do anything to her or threaten her, just "insisted on my right to my own picture".
Three people named by him as witnesses could not be summoned to the hearing because their addresses were missing.
"And I can't afford a lawyer," said the accused, who had multiple previous convictions for drug offenses, resistance against law enforcement officers, threats, fare evasion and fraud.
As a participant no private person
The public prosecutor, who had advocated 120 daily rates of 40 euros each, saw the allegation of coercion confirmed.
“Journalists must not be prevented from practicing their profession in public space.
It is the free decision of each individual to take part in a demonstration.” And: “As a participant in a meeting, you are not a private person.” And you lose the right to your own picture.
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The accused, who repeatedly had to be admonished for heckling and narrowly escaped a fine, announced an appeal in the courtroom.
He stormed out of the room, announced a complaint against the photographer and slammed the door shut.
You can find more current news from the district of Fürstenfeldbruck at Merkur.de/Fürstenfeldbruck.