German authorities raise charges against climate activist group

Munich prosecutors said on Monday that charges of forming a criminal association have been laid against five members of the former Last Generation (Letzte Generation) climate activist group, reported dpa.

A prosecutors' spokeswoman declined to specify the charges to dpa after the group had issued a statement. A district court will decide whether to proceed to trial. Conviction could result in lengthy sentences.

The group, which is known for blocking roads and targeting museums in its protests, announced at the end of last year that it was changing its strategy and its name.

A nationwide police raid on the group in May 2023 drew criticism and legal action. The courts later ruled that the raid and a phone tap were largely in line with law.

Searches were conducted of 15 premises in seven states by around 170 officers under the lead of the Bavarian authorities for combating extremism and terrorism. The group's internet page was also temporarily shut down.

Investigators also tapped a phone line used by the group to communicate with the press. This drew condemnation from media organizations.

Charges against members of the group of forming a criminal association were previously laid in the north-eastern state of Brandenburg. The charges concerned actions targeting an oil refinery, Berlin's airport and a museum in Potsdam in 2022 and 2023. A decision has yet to be taken on whether to proceed to trial.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens condemned the nationwide raid as "completely absurd," and rights organizations described the investigations as an attack on peaceful protest.

Activists found guilty on a charge of forming a criminal association could face up to five years in prison, or even 10 in extreme cases.

Former group spokeswoman Carla Hinrichs, who is reportedly one of those charged, has described its primary aim as alerting society to the climate crisis.

"What do you do if everything is at stake? You form a group and try to sound the alarm," she said in a statement put out after the charges were laid. She described the group as peaceful protestors.