The investigative authorities are reluctant to provide details about the death of twelve-year-old Luise from Freudenberg.
This is met with criticism in many places.
Freudenberg – Even after a week, the violent death of twelve-year-old Luise from Freudenberg in North Rhine-Westphalia caused horror.
Two girls as children have confessed to the crime and are now in the care of the youth welfare office.
In order to protect the alleged perpetrators, the investigating authorities are keeping a low profile on the details of the crime and motive.
Such information "cannot be published at the moment, even on request," said a statement from the Koblenz public prosecutor's office.
"This is opposed to the privacy protection of the family of the killed child and the personal rights of the child suspects and their families."
Luise (12) is dead: Media lawyers criticize authorities for withholding information
Media lawyer Tobias Gostomzyk from the TU Dortmund sees this critically.
"I don't think it is viable not to provide information about the motives and what happened even after the proceedings have been completed.
The act is too spectacular for that, ”explained the professor to the
German Press Agency (dpa)
.
"The protection of the alleged perpetrators must be respected, but cannot rule out any information here, especially since they have already confessed."
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Candles and flowers lie in a forest in southern North Rhine-Westphalia.
Luise was killed on March 11, 2023 with numerous knife wounds.
©Oliver Berg/dpa
It is true that the protection of personality is significantly higher for minors than for adults.
Gostomzyk emphasized that the protection of the girls' identities was also undoubtedly justified.
However, information about the crime is something else, he admitted.
Luise (12) from Freudenberg is dead: public interest is "considerable"
"I don't think that would stand up in court because the act is so shocking and unique - so the public interest is significant.
It is therefore not justified to withhold any information about it, provided that personal rights are adequately protected,” said Gostomzyk.
The authorities can withhold information in ongoing proceedings so as not to jeopardize the investigation.
At the latest when the investigation is completed, however, this reason will no longer apply, according to the media lawyer.
"And on the other hand, there is the legal issue of the public interest in information." Gostomzyk assumes that the authorities will hold a press conference when the investigation is completed.
"If not, the media could assert their right to information in court." Numerous false reports about Luise's death are already appearing on social media.
Detectives liken it to a witch hunt.
(kas/dpa)
List of rubrics: © Ina Fassbender/afp/Police