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The criticism of Interior Minister Faeser over the dismissal of cybersecurity chief Schönbohm is not decreasing. Today she will be questioned in the Interior Committee and the Bundestag. What are the allegations? An overview.
In October 2022, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser recalled the then President of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Arne Schönbohm. The minister is accused of doing this because of allegations that later turned out to be unfounded.
Today Faeser is taking part in a meeting of the Interior Committee for the first time about the controversial dismissal of the cybersecurity chief. In the previous meeting on September 8th, she was represented by a Parliamentary State Secretary. There was then sharp criticism from the Union.
The SPD politician had recently publicly denied the allegations against her several times and described the criticism as “theatrical thunder” that was related to her role as her party’s top candidate in the state elections in Hesse on October 8th. Today’s questioning in the committee will take place behind closed doors. At noon, the Federal Minister of the Interior will give public answers in the plenary session of the Bundestag as part of the government survey.
What was Schönbohm accused of?
The satirical program “ZDF Magazin Royale” reported on October 7, 2022 about Schönbohm’s alleged closeness to a club that had come under criticism for alleged contacts with Russian secret services.
Specifically, it was about Schönbohm’s proximity to the “Cyber Security Council Germany” association, of which he is the founding president. According to the research, the president of the association and Schönbohm’s long-time confidante, Hans-Wilhelm Dünn, maintains close contacts with Russia.
A later member of the association – until it was excluded last October – was the company Protelion GmbH from Berlin. She had submitted one of her products to the BSI for certification. The company is linked to the Russian software company OAO InfoTeCS, which in turn is said to be networked with Russian secret services. Until March 2022, Protelion still operated under the name Infotecs Security Software GmbH.
Why was Schönbohm recalled?
Schönbohm was relieved of his duties on October 18, 2022. The Interior Ministry’s justification at the time was: “The public’s necessary trust in the neutrality and impartiality of the office as President of the most important German cybersecurity authority” had been permanently damaged.
Interior Minister Faeser told the “Bild” newspaper two weeks ago that she had not fired Schönbohm because of the allegations made by “ZDF Magazin Royale”. It was more about trust. Cybersecurity is so important that there should be no doubt about it. She has reorganized and strengthened the BSI, said Faeser.
Furthermore, Schönbohm was not fired. He is now working in an “equivalent position elsewhere”. Schönbohm is now President of the Federal Academy for Public Administration.
Why is the case being reopened?
Schönbohm’s dismissal had already been sharply criticized by the opposition in autumn 2022. The fact that the issue is now coming up again also has to do with the fact that Schönbohm has filed a claim for damages before the Cologne Administrative Court.
Why is Schönbohm complaining?
Schönbohm is concerned about his reputation. He wants to prove that the Federal Ministry of the Interior violated his civil service duty of care towards him. According to his lawyer, Schönbohm is claiming damages of 5,000 euros in the lawsuit.
His lawyer explained that the loss of the position in itself was not the subject of the lawsuit. According to the further information, the Federal Republic of Germany is the defendant for procedural reasons. “In this matter, however, misconduct is alleged on the part of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland and specifically the management staff working there, including the Federal Minister herself.”
The misconduct consists in the fact that the preliminary disciplinary investigations against Schönbohm were continued even after it was already clear that the allegations against him were unfounded.
Schönbohm, through another lawyer, is also demanding compensation of 100,000 euros and a cease-and-desist declaration from ZDF. The broadcaster has rejected the claims. The whole thing has not yet reached the legal level.
What is Faeser accused of?
Faeser is accused of wrongfully or at least prematurely removing Schönbohm from the top of the BSI. In addition, the SPD politician is said to have used the Office for the Protection of the Constitution to justify this step.
The allegations against Schönbohm are now being questioned. No disciplinary proceedings had been opened against him: the ministry had informed its lawyers that the preliminary investigations had provided no evidence of such proceedings, the “Business Insider” portal reported in May. A ministry spokeswoman then stated that her company “basically cannot comment” on personal details.
The fact that the minister was probably dissatisfied with what the responsible department in her house had gathered during the preliminary disciplinary investigations into Schönbohm and had suggested that the search be carried out more thoroughly can be seen from an internal note from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, which was published by “Bild “-newspaper was published.
However, no concrete evidence emerged that – as some critics have suggested – she had the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution literally set her sights on Schönbohm.
What does Faeser say about this?
Faeser rejected the allegations two weeks ago. She accused the CDU/CSU MPs of “throwing mud” at her and said: “Stick to the facts and leave it to the CDU in Hesse to campaign!”
For Faeser, the timing of the debate is unfortunate. She is running as the SPD-Hesse’s top candidate in the state elections, which will take place in exactly one month.
Faeser emphasized: “There were no intelligence inquiries from me.” Relevant statements from her political opponents are “complete nonsense.” You have strengthened the BSI in view of the increased threat from cyber attacks. With Claudia Plattner, an internationally renowned expert is now at the top of the BSI.