The ruling court has persistently maintained that the commission's actions lack justification.
In Berlin, Germany, a 25-year-old individual has been charged for publishing photos of heavily armed men with the logo of a banned terrorist organization on social media. The photos, posted on Instagram in March and April, are alleged to have promoted the terrorist organization and contained "glorifying captions."
The charges against the individual include the dissemination of propaganda materials, the use of symbols of terrorist organizations, and the approval of criminal offenses. These activities are subject to strict legal restrictions in Berlin, with significant penalties under German law.
The German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch) prohibits the public use or dissemination of "symbols of unconstitutional organizations," which include terrorist groups such as ISIL and Nazi symbols like the swastika. Propaganda materials promoting terrorist organizations or unconstitutional groups are similarly banned, with penalties including imprisonment, fines, or other legal sanctions.
Approving or publicly endorsing criminal offenses related to terrorism or extremist acts can also lead to criminal liability. Such acts fall under provisions combating incitement and support of terrorism or unconstitutional violence, though specific penalties depend on the offense severity and circumstances.
The individual is accused of chanting a controversial slogan during demonstrations related to the Middle East conflict. The slogan, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," is often associated with groups advocating for the destruction of Israel.
The terrorist organization in question, not specified by name in the provided text, considers itself part of the armed resistance against Israel. The photos on the 25-year-old's Instagram account allegedly promoted this organization, as its logo was present in the images.
The individual is facing trial before the State Protection Chamber of the Berlin Regional Court, though the trial date has not yet been set. The case underscores Germany's commitment to combating extremist propaganda and terrorism, with penalties including imprisonment, fines, or other court-ordered restrictions.
[1] Federal Republic of Germany’s statutes regarding censorship and anti-extremism offenses. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_stgb/index.html
The individual's activities, including the dissemination of propaganda and the use of terrorist organization symbols, fall under Germany's strict laws against extremist propaganda and terrorism, as outlined in the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch). The individual is charged with promoting a terrorist organization through the posting of photos on Instagram, which allegedly contain glorifying captions and the organization's logo.
