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Bumper sticker trial: acquittal for defendant in Northeim!
A defendant was acquitted at the Northeim district court after a trial over a bumper sticker with SS runes ended.
Bumper sticker trial: acquittal for defendant in Northeim!
A strange trial has once again made headlines: a defendant from Saxony-Anhalt was acquitted at the Northeim district court after he hit the headlines with a car sticker that bore the inscription “OSSI”. This reported HNA. However, the dispute over the symbolism of this sticker has already dragged on over several instances.
During a vehicle inspection in November 2023, a police officer noticed the sticker while the defendant was accompanying a heavy transport vehicle. At first, the man did not recognize the meaning of the sticker, but prosecutors viewed the letters “SS” as identical to unconstitutional SS runes used during National Socialism. The public prosecutor then requested a fine of 1,200 euros because the defendant continued to drive with the sticker after being spoken to.
Judge's decision and arguments of the defendant
However, the court found that the defendant could not be proven to have been aware of the symbolism of the sticker. The defendant referred to his association with the US rock band “Kiss”, which the judges did not ignore. Despite the similarities found with SS runes, the judges found his explanation to be credible and ultimately acquitted him. The case was reheard after an appeal by the public prosecutor's office after the Braunschweig Higher Regional Court overturned the original verdict due to an inadequate description of the sticker, as well City radio Göttingen informed.
The incident also raises questions about the regulation of banned symbols in Germany. According to a study by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, there are a variety of signs and symbols that are important in this context. While the trial shows the difficulties that can arise in proving intent, the ban on such symbols remains in place under Section 86a of the Criminal Code. In its new overviews, the Federal Office lists further prohibited symbols of extremist origin, although the absence of a symbol does not mean that its use could not be punishable, as the website of the Federal Office says protection of the constitution clarified.
Overall, the case shows how challenging it can be to distinguish between artistic or cultural representations and potentially unconstitutional content. There is agreement that it is important to take such questions seriously and to raise awareness of them among the general public.