According to his own statements, the virologist Alexander Kekulé is no longer allowed to research and teach at the University of Halle for the time being. The Martin Luther University had pronounced a “temporary dismissal” against him, said Kekulé, who holds a professorship there, the German press agency. He has already spoken to a lawyer and will take legal action against it. Previously, the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (MZ) reports. The university could not be reached for a comment at first.
The process has a long history, said Kekulé. For years he has been fighting for better equipment for his microbiological institute. Now the university is apparently trying to get rid of him with allegations. According to the MZ report, one of the disciplinary proceedings is about the professor’s teaching obligations. According to Kekulé, it was about an internship last year, which he should have had in violation of the Corona requirements.
According to civil service law, temporary dismissal can be issued once disciplinary proceedings have been initiated. The official is thus temporarily prohibited from continuing his official business. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the measure is primarily intended for those cases in which it is to be expected that “in the disciplinary proceedings the removal from the civil servant relationship will presumably be pronounced”.
Kekulé became known nationwide during the corona pandemic and repeatedly interviewed on talk shows. However, it is controversial as an expert and has been criticized because he has hardly researched and published in recent years. He attributed this to the financial resources of his institute.