The public prosecutor’s office in Stuttgart has filed charges against the founder of the “lateral thinking” movement, Michael Ballweg. The public prosecutor’s office confirmed this to SWR on Tuesday.
The Stuttgart “lateral thinking” founder Michael Ballweg has been in custody for around nine months. The public prosecutor’s office in Stuttgart has now filed charges against him. However, the question remains as to what he is specifically accused of. The public prosecutor’s office did not comment on this when asked by SWR. Ballweg is suspected of attempted commercial fraud and money laundering.
End of detention demanded several times
Ballweg’s lawyers had called for an end to the detention several times in vain. Ballweg failed, among other things, with a constitutional complaint against his ongoing detention.
The “lateral thinking” movement had also formed in many other cities in the wake of the corona pandemic. The demonstrations were regular and well organized. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has been monitoring “lateral thinking 711” for some time because of anti-constitutional views, conspiracy ideologies and anti-Semitic tendencies. The way “lateral thinking 711” is financed has also raised questions at the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Baden-Württemberg since the end of 2020.
Supporters regularly demonstrate for Ballweg’s release
Demonstrations have been taking place regularly for several months to demand the end of Ballweg’s detention. Just two weeks ago, supporters of Ballweg demonstrated for his release in Stuttgart. Many of the protesters find the allegations against him unfounded.