Berlin camper couple in court: Drosten trial begins in October!

Berlin camper couple in court: Drosten trial begins in October!

The legal dispute against a Berlin camper couple who insulted the virologist Christian Drosten during the Corona period is entering the next round. The appeal process in Neubrandenburg will begin on October 1, 2024, as the regional court announced. Both the public prosecutor's office and the defendants have filed an appeal against the judgment of the Waren District Court made in April 2024. This decision came as no surprise as both sides are dissatisfied with the original rulings.

What exactly happened? In June 2022, the 51-year-old man took private images of the virologist without Drosten's consent and shared them in a public Telegram group. He described Drosten as the “biggest criminal walking around free” and loudly made the statement again the following day. The 52-year-old woman, also a defendant, also intervened and asked Drosten to move away. In the first instance, the couple was warned for defamation and insults. The man received a warning for his behavior while the woman was convicted of insults.

Course of the process

The negotiation dates were originally planned for July 2024, but these had to be postponed to the fall due to scheduling difficulties. The court justified the postponement with the different vacation and holiday periods of the parties involved from several federal states. The public prosecutor's office is particularly affected by these complications, demanding a higher sentence for those convicted.

In the first instance, the defendants received a one-year probation period, which means they do not have to pay a fine as long as they comply with the terms of their probation. Both accused people are currently living on citizen's money and have a child. The prosecution highlighted that the insults took place during a trip to a campsite in the Mecklenburg Lake District, where Drosten was with his four-year-old son. During the incident, the virologist felt threatened by the couple's loudness and aggressiveness and called the police.

Freedom of expression in science

The discussion about the incidents has also caused major waves. Many scientists, including virologists, are raising concerns about freedom of expression in science, especially during the pandemic. A survey published by Spiegel shows that many researchers in Germany fear being publicly attacked because of their statements. These concerns are particularly relevant in light of the incidents against Drosten and raise questions about how social tensions can affect science.

Interestingly, there was also a former defendant against whom the case was dropped due to insignificance. This multitude of events and developments surrounding this trial shows that the case is not only a legal issue, but also a social issue. The next hearing dates have already been set: after the first appeal date on October 1, 2024, another will follow on October 6, 2024. The eyes of the public will be on Neubrandenburg as this process continues.

Further information on this topic and the challenges facing science can be found at Mirror.