The highest-ranking police officer in Baden-Württemberg has been acquitted in the trial of sexually assaulting a police officer. That was decided by the district court of Stuttgart on Friday. The inspector of the state police had been accused of urging a much younger commissioner to do sexual favors in front of a Stuttgart pub.
This ends, at least for the time being, a court case that caused a stir in the highest circles of the police and politicians. It was about alleged abuse of power by the police, possible career advantages and a pub night in November 2021. The complainant had accused the top official of urging her to touch his penis in front of the restaurant. At the time, she wanted a career in the higher service and he had promised to help her advance.
The public prosecutor had demanded a suspended sentence of one year and three months and a fine of 16,000 euros for sexual assault. Now the inspector who has been released from duty is still facing disciplinary proceedings. Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) had announced that it would be difficult for him to imagine the inspector returning to office – regardless of the outcome of the court case.