"In a court ruling, Ballweg, a key figure in the 'Querdenken' movement, has been cleared of fraud allegations"
Michael Ballweg Found Guilty of Tax Evasion, Acquitted of Fraud Charges
Michael Ballweg, the founder of the government-critical "Querdenken" movement, has been found guilty of tax evasion by the Stuttgart Regional Court but was acquitted of fraud charges. The court issued him a warning rather than a prison sentence for tax evasion, noting that there was no proof of intent to commit fraud.
The trial, which began in October 2024, saw Ballweg face charges of attempted fraud and tax evasion. Despite a house search and seizure of tax-related documents, no incriminating evidence was found on his computer, and Ballweg was unable to access the digital tax portal while imprisoned.
Ballweg spent several months in pre-trial detention between 2022 and 2023 due to the court's assessment that he was a flight risk. Supporters protested during this time, and he was released in April 2023.
The court found Ballweg guilty of tax evasion in two cases and attempted tax evasion in three cases, but issued a warning. The public prosecutor's office had initially demanded a three-year prison sentence and the confiscation of over half a million euros, alleging misuse of funds. However, the court rejected these harsher demands.
Regarding penalties, Ballweg was ordered to pay compensation for 279 days in pre-trial detention and damages resulting from the seizure of his assets and searches. Additionally, he received a refund of €200,000 for taxes overpaid, which was mentioned during the trial as part of the defense’s argument that the prosecution lacked evidence of wrongdoing.
The court heard 80 witnesses and read out 2,200 documents during the 44 trial days. The records show that expenses for "Querdenken" amounted to 843,111.68 euros. However, specific information about the donations in millions was not provided.
The public prosecutor's office has stated that it will review whether to appeal the verdict, as Ballweg was acquitted of the main charges related to the misuse of funds raised for "Querdenken". The public prosecutor accuses Ballweg of raising over one million euros for "Querdenken" through public appeals and misleading supporters about the actual use of the funds, with more than half a million euros allegedly used for private purposes.
Throughout the trial, there have been differences between the public prosecutor's office and the court regarding the classification of the facts. The court previously dismissed a prosecution motion to introduce evidence alleging serious intent for tax evasion, indicating challenges in proving criminal intent.
In summary, Michael Ballweg, founder of "Querdenken", was acquitted of the main charges related to the misuse of funds raised for "Querdenken". The court found Ballweg guilty of tax evasion but issued a warning rather than a prison sentence. The appeals process details are not yet clear, but the public prosecutor's office has stated that it will review whether to appeal the verdict.
The trial involve charges of tax evasion and attempted fraud against Michael Ballweg, who is associated with the "Querdenken" movement and general-news, as well as politics due to his position as the movement's founder. The court found him guilty only of tax evasion, but acquitted him of the fraud charges and fraudulent misuse of funds, a decision that may be subject to appeal. Crime-and-justice is also relevant, given the legal proceedings against Ballweg for financial crimes and his temporary detention.
