Did she act out of “distress of conscience”?
Trial against climate activist Carla Hinrichs suspended
08/24/2023 2:52 p.m
For the second time, a trial has started against the spokeswoman for the last generation, Carla Hinrichs, in the district court in Berlin. The last time, the judge sentenced her to a fine of 600 euros. Now the procedure is suspended for the time being – the activist is supposed to provide evidence.
The spokeswoman for the Last Generation climate group, Carla Hinrichs, has once again had to answer for roadblocks before the Berlin district court – before the same judge who has already convicted her of a similar action. The proceedings were adjourned after a few hours of hearings because the court allowed evidence from Hinrich’s defense. These are intended to prove that the 26-year-old is acting out of conscience and not for reprehensible reasons. A court spokeswoman said there was no new date.
Activists of the group have been blocking roads nationwide since the beginning of 2022 and sticking themselves to it. The goal is strict climate protection. The blockades regularly cause great annoyance among drivers due to traffic jams. In surveys, most people express negative opinions about the actions. The public prosecutor accused Hinrichs, among other things, of coercion and resistance to law enforcement officials in several actions. Hinrichs largely acknowledged the blockades. But she said she couldn’t help but protest as the climate crisis worsened. “I will not accept that without resistance.”
“Five years of labor camp was still harmless”
Judge Christoph Weyreuther aimed to ask whether there were other means of protest, such as announced demonstrations, that would not affect others so much. Weyreuther had sentenced Hinrichs to a fine of 600 euros in a similar procedure in March for coercion. Now he said in the hearing that according to the verdict at the time, demands for a harsher sentence had reached him. “Five years of labor camp was still harmless,” Weyreuther reflected the comments.
Before the trial, however, Hinrichs was confident that the judge could rule in her favor this time. The climate crisis has recently worsened. “I hope that he takes all these aspects into account in his decision and then comes to the conclusion that my behavior is justified,” she said.