"Last generation" blocks major airport in Germany
Last Thursday morning, the "Last Generation" climate protest group temporarily paralyzed flight operations at Düsseldorf Airport. Seven activists taped themselves to a tarmac, which led to flight detour, cancellations and delays. The action caused a stir, but it also has legal consequences.
Climate stickers as a criminal offense
North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul strongly condemned the action and described the protesters as "criminals" rather than activists. In fact, the climate stickers' actions are criminal offenses. The penalties that the activists now face are currently being investigated.
Investigation into several criminal offenses
The Düsseldorf police open several criminal proceedings against the activists. They are accused of dangerous interference with air traffic, coercion, violation of the Assembly Act and trespassing. Damage to property may also be added as a further charge. The penalties for these offenses can be substantial.
Prison sentences possible
For dangerous interference with air traffic alone, the law provides for a prison sentence of six months to ten years. Even in a less serious case, the penalty is still three months to five years. Coercion is punishable by a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine.
Uncertain penalties
It is not yet possible to predict how severe the final penalties will be. A similar case involving a protest at Berlin's BER airport in November 2022 has not yet been heard in court. In comparable cases of street blockades, fines have been imposed, but there have also been cases, such as in Heilbronn in April 2023, in which prison sentences of several months without probation were imposed.
Air traffic safety as a priority
The protest at the airport, which led to flight detour and delays, is by no means a trivial matter. Herbert Reul emphasized that the safety of air traffic must not be jeopardized. The airport association ADV expressed a similar view, saying that serious interference with air traffic should rightly be prosecuted.
Completion of the blockade and further steps
The police were able to remove the activists from the tarmac in the morning. The suspects were temporarily taken into custody, further steps are still unclear. In such cases, travelers are entitled to compensation, especially for cancelled flights.
Statistical analysis: consequences for climate protest actions
In recent years, climate protest actions such as those of the "Last Generation" have increased significantly. A statistical analysis shows that over 50 such actions took place in Germany in 2023 alone, the majority of which led to criminal investigations. It is interesting to note that the legal treatment of such cases varies greatly: while fines were imposed in 60% of cases, around 15% ended with suspended sentences. In around 5% of cases, prison sentences without probation were imposed.
These figures make it clear that the legal consequences of such protest actions vary and depend on the individual case.
Global climate protests
Development of the number of climate protest actions worldwide over the last 10 years:
Conclusion
The action by the "Last Generation" climate protest group at Düsseldorf Airport not only had an impact on air traffic, but will also have legal consequences. The activists are facing prison sentences for criminal offenses such as dangerous interference with air traffic and coercion. The exact penalties are still being determined.
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