Danger of exposure: Justice Minister criticizes the draft law on hidden investigators

Von Alexander Schneider

The Federal Minister of Justice Marion Gentges has expressed concerns about the draft law to regulate the use of hidden investigators and confidants. She warns of the danger that confidants could be more easily reduced by the planned new regulations.

The current draft law, which was recently advised in the Federal Council, stipulates that documents and information on confidants could find receipt in court files based on a judge's reservation. This would mean that sooner or later this sensitive information could also become known to the accused. Compared to the current legal situation, in which such information can be kept in separate files of the public prosecutor and blocked in the judicial proceedings, this represents a significant deterioration.

The concerns of the Minister of Justice are understandable because the protection of confidants is of great importance. If confidants are easier to disarmed, their security and the effectiveness of their work could be endangered. In addition, this could undermine confidence in the rule of law, since potential informants may be deterred if they have to fear that they are exposed.

It remains to be seen how the draft law will be further developed and whether the concerns of the Minister of Justice are taken into account. It is important to ensure a balanced relationship between the effectiveness of law enforcement and the protection of confidants in order to strengthen trust in the rule of law.