A Bavarian woman faced heavy fines and a potential criminal record after calling German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock a “hollow brat” on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Her €6,000 fine, handed down in 2023, was overturned on appeal, sparking debate over the growing trend of prosecuting minor online criticisms of politicians.
The woman’s tweet, which garnered only 216 views, referred to Baerbock’s G20 summit appearance and described her as “a danger to our country.” Despite warnings that an appeal could lead to higher costs, she fought back, risking her job working with disabled children if the conviction stood.
During the trial, a police officer recounted the resources expended to track the accused: IP address tracing, house searches, and lengthy investigations, often involving several officers. The judge proposed halting the case for a €1,000 donation to charity, but the prosecutor refused, insisting on continuing to tackle online hate speech. Ultimately, the judge acquitted the woman and ordered the state to cover court costs.
Critics of such prosecutions, like defense attorney Udo Vetter, argue the judiciary is being misused to punish free expression. “Police are bogged down chasing insults while real crime skyrockets,” Vetter said, noting that over 140,000 open arrest warrants for online offenses currently clog the system.
The case echoes other recent incidents. Earlier this year, a pensioner was arrested in Bavaria for retweeting a meme labeling Green Economy Minister Robert Habeck an “idiot.” His home was raided, and the incident was classified as a “politically motivated right-wing crime.” Similarly, in 2022, over 100 homes were searched in a nationwide crackdown on so-called “hate mail” directed at public officials.
These cases highlight Germany’s tightening grip on online speech, with critics warning of increasing censorship by political elites who aim to silence dissent. The acquittal, however, is being hailed as a small victory for free speech in a system many believe has gone too far.
