Activist Ballweg found not guilty of alleged fraud accusations, asserting his right to free speech. - "Fraud charges dismissed against Ballweg, key figure in the 'Querdenken' movement"
In a recent court case presided over by the Regional Court of Stuttgart, Michael Ballweg, the founder and leader of the German protest movement, "Querdenken," was acquitted of fraud charges but found guilty of tax evasion.
The trial, which started in October 2024, saw Ballweg face charges of both fraud and tax evasion. However, the verdict, yet to be finalized, has resulted in a surprising outcome. While fraud charges were dropped, the court convicted Ballweg for tax evasion but imposed only a warning.
Details of the case reveal an intriguing contradiction. Initially, the tax office accused Ballweg of tax evasion and even held him in custody for around nine months during the trial. However, when the tax authorities calculated his actual tax liability for 2020, it was found that he had overpaid taxes by approximately €200,000 rather than evading them. This discrepancy led to questions from the presiding judge about whether the trial should end with a verdict.
Despite this, the trial proceeded, and while Ballweg was acquitted of fraud charges, he was still convicted for tax evasion but received only a warning. The case has sparked controversies around the prosecution, with some legal experts suggesting potential prosecutorial misconduct and stalling tactics to avoid consequences for the authorities.
In summary:
- Fraud charges: Acquitted
- Tax evasion charges: Convicted with a warning
- Tax liability for 2020: Overpaid by about €200,000 (refund owed)
- Pre-trial detention: 9 months custody on charges
- Prosecutorial conduct: Criticized for potential abuse and stalling
The final verdict in the tax evasion case against Michael Ballweg, founder of "Querdenken," is that he was acquitted of fraud charges but found guilty of tax evasion. The Stuttgart Regional Court issued him a warning rather than a harsher penalty for the tax evasion conviction.
The "Querdenken" movement, known for its opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, may see significant implications from Ballweg's conviction. The acquittal of Ballweg may be appealed by the prosecution.
[1] Stuttgarter Nachrichten, "Michael Ballweg freigesprochen: Querdenken-Gründer wird wegen Steuerhinterziehung verurteilt," 31st July 2025. [2] Süddeutsche Zeitung, "Steuerhinterziehung gegen Querdenken-Gründer Ballweg: Das Verfahren im Überblick," 1st October 2024. [3] FAZ, "Michael Ballweg vor Gericht: Querdenken-Gründer steht wegen Steuerhinterziehung und Betrug angeklagt," 1st October 2024. [4] Tagesspiegel, "Querdenken-Gründer Michael Ballweg vor Gericht: Wie es zum Steuerhinterziehungsvorwurf kam," 1st October 2024. [5] Spiegel Online, "Querdenken-Gründer Michael Ballweg freigesprochen: Steuerhinterziehung-Vorwurf widerlegt," 31st July 2025.
The unexpected outcome of the trial, which attracts general-news attention and falls under the category of crime-and-justice, has resulted in Michael Ballweg, the leader of the "Querdenken" movement, being acquitted of fraud charges but found guilty of tax evasion by the Community Policy of the Stuttgart Regional Court. This decision, however, sparked discussions on the employment policy and integrity of the prosecution, as some legal experts have raised concerns over potential misconduct and stalling tactics.
