Stuttgart – He is accused of fraud in 9,450 cases. Now the “lateral thinking” founder Michael Ballweg (49) has to answer in court.
According to the prosecution, he is said to have raised more than one million euros for the organization through public appeals from thousands of people, but deceived donors about how the money would be used. It goes in that process about the extent to which Ballweg wanted to use the money collected for his movement or for private purposes.
Ballweg’s lawyers had repeatedly rejected the public prosecutor’s allegations. There are more than 30 days of hearings before the economic criminal division of the regional court Stuttgart scheduled. However, it is assumed that negotiations will continue until the end of 2025. Ballweg expects legal costs of one million euros. The former software entrepreneur said to BILD: “A lot of tax money is being wasted here – just like during Corona times.”
Thousands of “lateral thinkers” marched through Stuttgart, protesting against the Corona measures
Ballweg supporters demonstrated in front of the prison
Ballweg also has to answer in court on suspicion of tax evasion. Because the authorities assumed there was a risk of escape, Ballweg was taken into custody at the Stuttgart-Stammheim correctional facility in June 2022, but was then released in April 2023. During his pre-trial detention, Ballweg’s supporters repeatedly came forward Jail demonstrated.
The “lateral thinking” movement took hold during the pandemic Crown formed from Stuttgart in many German cities. The supporters repeatedly demonstrated publicly against the political measures to contain the virus. They viewed these measures as restrictions on their personal freedom.
Attacks on police officers and journalists
There were also attacks on police officers and media representatives. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution looked at the scene because of anti-constitutional views, conspiracy ideologies and anti-Semitic tendencies.
The criminal chamber of the regional court initially did not allow charges relating to attempted fraud. However, the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court upheld a complaint from the public prosecutor’s office against the non-admission. So the criminal proceedings are now taking place before the Commercial Criminal Chamber. The charge of money laundering was finally dropped.