Still Waiting for a Fresh Verdict: The 2018 Fretterode Attack Retrial in Mühlhausen
Ongoing trial in Freterode remains unresolved - Pending status persists for the innovative Fretterode method
If you've been following the dramatic saga of a far-right attack on journalists in 2018, you may be wondering about the current status of the retrial. Alas, it seems the main trial still remains out of sight. A spokesperson for the Mühlhausen Regional Court confirms a staggering array of urgent cases, including both detention and commitment matters, plus a pile of older cases, are responsible for delaying the retrial.
Back in 2022, the highest court in Germany, the Bundesgerichtshof or BGH in Karlsruhe, overturned the initial verdict of the Mühlhausen Regional Court, pointing out legal errors in the assessment of evidence. To set things right, they referred the case back to another chamber in Mühlhausen for retrial. The two defendants were initially found guilty of joint property damage and inflicting dangerous bodily harm, a decision that caused a nationwide furore due to its leniency. The court also refused to recognize a severe robbery or a political motive, a decision that sparked widespread criticism.
The 2018 vicious attack on the journalists from Göttingen resulted in severe injuries to both journalists. They participated as co-plaintiffs in the trial and were attacked and injured with weapons such as a long wrench and a knife, following a chase. A reflex camera of the journalists also vanished in the attack. One of the co-plaintiffs has now lodged a complaint of delay due to the postponed retrial. In the past, they succeeded in protesting against unnecessary trial delays in the court at Karlsruhe.
Göttingen lawyer Sven Adam, who represents one of the journalists, has criticized the justice system in Mühlhausen, stating it fails to bring satisfaction or protection to the two journalists involved. Adam claimed that neo-Nazis are protected in Mühlhausen, a disturbing assertion that has sparked debate and concern. The question remains whether the co-plaintiffs will participate again in the retrial or decide to withdraw.
Stay tuned for more updates as the western German court system grapples with this complex case. The delayed justice system is under the spotlight due to its handling of this high-profile incident.
- Amidst the ongoing debates about the protective measures of certain communities, questions about the Mühlhausen Regional Court's policy towards neo-Nazis are being raised, particularly in light of the delayed retrial of the 2018 Fretterode Attack.
- As vocational training initiatives in various fields continue across Germany, a demand for updated vocational training programs for legal professionals focusing on efficient case management and timely justice has grown, in light of the ongoing 2018 Fretterode Attack retrial delay.
