Climate activist at Munich airport: 100 hours of community service for Erding student
A 23-year-old student was sentenced by Erding district court to 100 hours of community service for blocking Munich airport in May 2024.
Verdict following airport blockade: 100 hours of community service for climate protester
Erding district court has sentenced a 23-year-old student from the Ruhr region to 100 hours of community service. The man had glued himself to the ground at Munich airport in May 2024 as a member of the "Last Generation" and contributed to chaos on the first day of Whitsun holidays. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the verdict was issued taking into account juvenile criminal law — for disruption of public operations, trespass and criminal damage.
On 18 May 2024, eight activists from the group had cut holes in the airport's security fence using bolt cutters and wire cutters. They subsequently glued themselves to the ground at four locations on the premises. The consequences were substantial: 36 take-offs and 34 landings were cancelled, approximately 10,500 passengers had to remain on the ground. A Munich Airport GmbH (FMG) employee stated in court that the airport had lost 260,000 euros in revenue on that day. Damage to the fence amounted to 10,000 euros. Civil lawsuits by FMG against the activists are still ongoing.
Seven other members of the group had already been sentenced at the same court previously — to fines of 140 or 160 daily rates of 15 euros. The 23-year-old, as the youngest member of the group, was the last to answer to Judge Michael Lefkaditis.
The defendant explained during the hearing that he had witnessed the flood catastrophe in the Ahr valley during his voluntary service with the Technical Relief Organization (THW). The suffering there had deeply affected him and prompted his protest action, with which he wanted to protect human lives from the consequences of the climate catastrophe. For the past two years he has not taken part in any such action; the "Last Generation" no longer exists.
Following a legal discussion, the student admitted the facts set out in the charge sheet. Judge Lefkaditis then handed down the verdict. He emphasised that he was convinced that cutting the fence and entering the premises had stood in a causal relationship with the suspension of flight operations. Whether the charge of disruption of public operations would withstand an appeal or revision, Lefkaditis left open — there were differing legal assessments on this point. The defence had argued that the activists had glued themselves on access roads which aircraft could have driven around.
Also in court in Erding was a 21-year-old student from Cologne. She had remained outside the airport premises during the action in May 2024 and was charged with aiding and abetting. The proceedings against her were discontinued as she is already obliged to perform a substantial number of community service hours as a result of another conviction. In return, she waived the return of a mobile phone and camera that had been seized by police.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung