Charges filed against climate activists over raid on Merz aircraft
The Arnsberg public prosecutor's office has brought charges against three activists who attempted to damage Chancellor Merz's private aircraft in January. Among them is well-known climate activist Anja Windl.
Charges for trespass
According to welt.de, the Arnsberg public prosecutor's office has brought charges against three climate activists who are said to have attempted to damage the private aircraft of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in January. The district court is now reviewing approval of the charges.
The defendants – at the time aged 23, 28 and 56 – are said to have gained unauthorised access to the grounds of the airfield where Merz's private jet is also kept. They were arrested on site for trespass. Among them was Austrian climate activist Anja Windl, who is known for sit-ins and protest actions and has been arrested multiple times.
The activist group Widerstands-Kollektiv later stated that the action was intended to put the aircraft out of service. The plan was to paint the aircraft pink and permanently remove it from circulation. The attempt failed when a police patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle and measures were initiated at the airfield.
In May, a Vienna court sentenced Windl to eight months on probation for a climate glue-in action.
Source: Die Zeit Kriminalität