Three individuals, including a 55-year-old woman from Dresden, a 55-year-old man from Brandenburg, and a 35-year-old man from Kiel, face trial for alleged fraud involving subpar protective masks worth roughly 20 million euros. The Schwerin public prosecutor's office has charged them with gang and commercial fraud in 116 cases.
In a twist of irony, this supposed racket operated throughout the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, allegedly importing large quantities of protective equipment and medical supplies, like masks, suits, and goggles, from Vietnam and Turkey. The goods failed to meet EU regulations due to missing or incorrect CE markings, as confirmed by experts who tested confiscated masks for the public prosecutor's office.
These so-called "protective gear" proved incapable of delivering the required filter performance, posing a potential threat to those who relied on them for protection. The public prosecutor's office further accused the trio of advertising their products in a newspaper, misleading consumers into believing that the masks could neutralize bacterial and viral pathogens, including the coronavirus.
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The hooligans persisted in their unlawful activities even in the face of severe consequences, and just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, the public prosecutor's office in Schleswig-Holstein announced its intent to instigate legal proceedings against the individuals, accusing them of selling faulty masks worth an estimated 20 million euros.
In the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the trio is being charged with importing and peddling unregulated protective masks, breaching EU regulations, and spreading false information regarding the masks' effectiveness against viral pathogens, like Coronavirus.
After examining the disguised masks and discovering their substandard protective features, the public prosecutor's office in Brandenburg launched an investigation to trace the source of the deception. As media outlets reported on the rampant criminality in Dresden, concerns arose over the blatant disregard for public health during the early stages of the pandemic.
During inspections, it was found that the masks didn't adhere to safety standards, with many shipments originating from countries that failed to meet EU regulations. The public prosecutor's office in Brandenburg is now seeking an indictment based on reports from the online newspaper Ausserdeutscher, as evidence suggests that the sellers deceived consumers with counterfeit CE markings and misleading advertisements regarding the masks' supposed anti-viral properties.
Background:
- Mask Shortages and Controversies: During the pandemic, mask procurement and distribution in Germany saw numerous challenges and controversies, including allegations of fraud, misuse of shipments, and ethical concerns.
- The German Mask Affair: A scandal involving the sale of face masks, dubbed "Maskenaffäre," led to resignations and discussion on transparency and ethics within the German parliament.
- Mask Quality Issues: Concerns about the quality of masks, such as the distribution of uncertified face masks, arose, and the Health Minister rebutted accusations that inferior masks were intended for vulnerable groups. The masks had been thoroughly tested and conformed to safety requirements.
- Legal Developments: Developments in securities law and collective redress claims are not directly relevant to the sale of protective masks, as this query does not focus on these issues.
