Minister Till Backhaus Faces Legal Challenge Over Wolf's Death
Minister Backhaus under scrutiny following accusations of involvement in wolf's killing - Upon slaying a wolf, Minister Backhaus issues threats of legal action.
Get the scoop on the debate surrounding Minister Till Backhaus and the controversial wolf killing incident in Rostock district.
A Five-Year Saga
For five years, questions have swirled around the shooting of a she-wolf in the Rostock district. This wolf, reportedly known for mating with a dog, now has Minister Till Backhaus potentially standing trial for violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
A representative from the Rostock public prosecutor's office suggests there's solid reason to believe that Backhaus influenced the district authority to grant an exception permit for the wolf's elimination. Consequently, charges are set to be filed against the politician.
Suspension of Parliamentary Immunity
As a member of the state parliament, Backhaus is immune to criminal charges. However, the legal committee of the state parliament, in response to the public prosecutor's office's request, recommended the suspension of Backhaus' immunity in their meeting on Wednesday. If approved, charges will be brought forward in the plenary session in the near future.
Minister's Defense
Backhaus justifies the she-wolf's killing by citing species protection, with the Rostock district granting a permit upon the Ministry of the Environment's request back in 2020. The minister argued that the wolf's repetitive approach to a farm dog and potential mating represented a risk for creating wolf hybrids, which can threaten the wolf population.
However, an examination of the dead animal revealed that the she-wolf wasn't pregnant at the time of her death. Failed previous attempts to catch the animal and equip it with a transmitter were cited as reasons for the lethal action.
The public prosecutor questions the legality of the preventive killing, stating that only wolf hybrids can legally be eliminated in the interest of species protection, not an allegedly pregnant she-wolf.
Minister Reacts to Charges
Backhaus finds the Rostock public prosecutor's office's decision to press charges unjustifiable. "The allegations are factually incorrect. Those involved acted lawfully within their official duties to prevent hybridization, which has also been confirmed by a ruling of the administrative court," he stated. The legality of the permit to kill the wolf is currently under appeal at the Federal Administrative Court.
- Till Backhaus
- She-wolf
- Rostock district
- Public prosecutor's office
- Rostock
- Charges
- Schwerin
- SPD
Insights
Wolf management in Germany is regulated by the Federal Nature Conservation Act (Bundesnaturschutzgesetz, BNatSchG) and the EU's Habitats Directive. These laws protect wolves but allow for exceptions under specific conditions, such as preventing significant damage to livestock or crops, or for imperative reasons of public interest. Exception permits can be issued by local or regional authorities, subject to strict criteria. The specific details in the Till Backhaus case are not provided, but any wolf killing charges or permits in the Rostock district would need to comply with these regulations.
- The controversy surrounding Minister Till Backhaus involves allegations of influencing the Rostock district to grant an exception permit for the elimination of a she-wolf, a case that is currently under investigation by the public prosecutor's office in Rostock.
- Till Backhaus, a member of the state parliament, faces potential charges for violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act due to the death of a she-wolf in the Rostock district, a situation that has been under scrutiny for five years.
- The legality of Till Backhaus' actions regarding the death of the she-wolf in the Rostock district is being questioned, particularly regarding the permit to kill the wolf, which is currently under appeal at the Federal Administrative Court.
- The case of Till Backhaus involves the killing of a she-wolf in the Rostock district, an incident that has led to the potential charges against him and a possible suspension of his parliamentary immunity, as recommended by the legal committee of the state parliament in Schwerin.
