German Court Fines Man for Insulting Chancellor

(MENAFN) A court in Germany has ruled that referring to Chancellor Friedrich Merz as “lying Fritz” warrants criminal prosecution in the “public interest,” imposing a fine equivalent to an average monthly salary—over €2,000 ($2,322).

This case is part of a broader pattern, with dozens of investigations launched last year over critical remarks posted on social media, as noted by local authorities.

The incident traces back to October 25, when a regional police department issued a drone no-fly warning ahead of Merz’s visit. In response, several online comments surfaced calling the chancellor a “lying clown,” a “loose talker,” and a “lackey,” according to reports.

Authorities initially opened 39 proceedings under Article 188 of the German Criminal Code, which criminalizes insults against individuals “engaged in public political life” if they could be “likely to significantly impede” their duties. Fifteen of these cases were later dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Individuals who referred to Merz as “Pinocchio” or a “lying clown” are unlikely to face legal consequences, according to reports. However, in the “lying Fritz” case, the court concluded in March that the comment was “likely to incite further negative prejudices or aggression among like-minded individuals.”

At a recent press briefing, a government spokesperson declined to comment on the cases “out of respect for the judiciary,” noting that Merz himself had not filed charges. When pressed further, the official described the proceedings as “normal legal procedures” that “must be protected.”

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