Germany’s highest court on Tuesday overturned a reform to the country’s criminal code that allowed for people who have been acquitted to be put on trial again for the same crime if new evidence emerged that could secure their conviction for murder or other serious crimes.
The 2021 provision stated that proceedings already closed with a final judgement can be reopened “if new facts or evidence are produced which, independently or in connection with evidence which was previously taken, establish cogent reasons that the acquitted defendant will be convicted” of murder, genocide, crimes against humanity or a war crime against a person. The trigger for Tuesday’s ruling was a complaint by a man who was accused of raping and fatally stabbing a schoolgirl in 1981.
Germany’s highest court overturns a reform that allowed for new trials after acquittalsGermany’s highest court has overturned a reform to the country’s criminal code that allowed for people who have been acquitted to be put on trial again for the same crime if new evidence emerged that could secure their conviction for murder or other serious crimes. Read more ⮕
Chiefs and Patriots compete for fans and influence in Germany ahead of games in FrankfurtThe Patriots have the history. The Chiefs have the juice. New England is bringing its six Super Bowl trophies to Frankfurt. Kansas City has a yacht, not to mention the star quarterback and tight end. They’re all headed to Frankfurt to take part in two weeks of American football because beyond the games, there are German fans to win over. Read more ⮕
Nicolas Cage’s ‘Dream Scenario’ Heads to Germany Via DCMBerlin-based DCM Film Distribution has acquired Kristoffer Borgli’s surrealist comedy “Dream Scenario,” starring Nicolas Cage. Read more ⮕
Englishman accused of retiree’s 1978 murder extradited to GermanyA 70-year-old U.K. resident has been extradited to Germany after authorities issued an arrest warrant for the murder of a 69-year-old Munich man who disappeared at the end of 1978. Read more ⮕
4 construction workers reported dead in Germany after 8-story scaffolding collapseFour Bulgarian construction workers have been reported dead and a fifth critically injured after scaffolding fell eight stories down an elevator shaft at a Hamburg, Germany, jobsite. Read more ⮕
Trade tops the agenda as Germany’s Scholz meets Nigerian leader on West Africa tripGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu as part of a West Africa tour as the European country looks to diversify its trade partners and expand economic partnerships in the energy-rich region. Read more ⮕
