judgement
Berlin has to pay the “Artemis” brothel more than 100,000 euros in damages
Blue light before red light: The “Artemis” was searched in 2016.
© Imago Images
The “Artemis” in Berlin is one of Germany’s largest brothels. The rooms there were searched in 2016 – as a result, the state of Berlin has to pay damages.
The Berlin public prosecutor’s office had the large brothel “Artemis” searched in 2016 because of serious allegations. Among other things, it was supposed to be about the exploitation of prostitutes, pimping and aiding in human trafficking, and there was also talk of tax evasion.
Because the authority went public with these allegations early and in detail, but could not prove them later, the state of Berlin now has to pay the operators more than 100,000 euros in damages. That was the verdict of a Berlin Court of Appeal on Tuesday in an appeal process.
3000 square meters area, 70 prostitutes
The “Artemis” with its 3,000 square meters and space for up to 70 prostitutes was searched by hundreds of officers in April 2016. Other raids also took place in Berlin, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse.
Above all, a press conference hit the operators badly: They accused the public prosecutor’s office of having made prejudiced statements. Although the regional court dismissed a first complaint by the operators, the superior court as the second instance now agreed with them. Both operators are entitled to 50,000 euros and interest.
The brothel from the inside.
© Imago Images
The lawyer for the plaintiffs is satisfied with the verdict: “The representatives of the state of Berlin have blatantly misjudged the legal situation in these proceedings from the start,” said Ben M. Irle. Berlin was also able to settle the matter through a settlement, but missed this opportunity.
In fact, the district court had proposed such a comparison. Berlin would have wanted to donate 20,000 euros to children with cancer, but the operators recently asked for a donation of 25,000 euros. The operators also want to donate the 100,000 euros now being sued for the treatment of children suffering from cancer in Berlin.
Sources: dpa, AFP, “Picture”