German Judge Under Investigation for Alleged Online Hate Speech
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A probe has been launched into an Osnabrück Administrative Court judge following accusations of spreading hateful comments online, raising concerns about conduct within the German judiciary.
The Göttingen public prosecutor’s office is investigating a judge at the Osnabrück Administrative Court for alleged insulting behavior, according to a statement released on Wednesday. The investigation follows reports by the German newspaper taz alleging that the court president, Gert Armin Neuhäuser, engaged in spreading hate comments via an Instagram profile.
A spokeswoman for the Lower Saxony Ministry of Justice confirmed the investigation, noting that the office specializes in online hate crime. She refrained from disclosing the judge’s name, citing privacy concerns.
Allegations Against the Osnabrück Administrative Court President
The taz newspaper initially raised suspicions against President Neuhäuser, who also serves as an honorary professor at Leibniz University Hannover. The report claims Neuhäuser allegedly used the Instagram profile “profdrcn” to insult individuals, with women and members of the LGBTQ+ community reportedly being frequent targets. According to the taz, the insults directed at women often focused on their physical appearance. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the Instagram account is, in fact, operated by President Neuhäuser.
Lawyer Denies Claims, Cites Political Motivation
President Neuhäuser declined to comment when approached by NDR. However, his lawyer, Joachim Nikolaus Steinhöfel, issued a statement characterizing the taz reporting as a “politically motivated campaign against an independent judge.” Steinhöfel argued the accusations stemmed from a ruling issued by Neuhäuser’s chamber that the newspaper’s editorial team reportedly disliked. The lawyer specifically referenced a judgment from the previous year concerning a police officer involved in right-wing chat groups.
Steinhöfel further stated, “We have advised our client not to comment on the allegations, which are based solely on speculation, in order not to legitimize this form of denunciation as if there were a reversal of the burden of proof in the constitutional state.” He also confirmed that a complaint has been filed with the Press Council against the taz newspaper.
Ministry and University Respond
When questioned by NDR, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Justice stated it had no information confirming whether Gert Armin Neuhäuser operated the account in question. A statement from the Ministry was reportedly obtained via the Lower Saxony Higher Administrative Court, but its contents remain undisclosed. A spokesperson for the Higher Administrative Court cited “ongoing administrative investigations” as the reason for withholding the statement’s details.
The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University of Hannover acknowledged the allegations but stated it could not definitively link the “profdrcn” account to an honorary professor. Nevertheless, the university condemned the statements attributed to the profile, describing them as “unacceptable and inhumane and deeply disturbing,” and emphasizing they do not align with the university’s values.
Resignation from Association Chairmanship
In a separate development, President Neuhäuser announced his resignation as chairman of the Association of Lower Saxony Administrative Judges (VNVR) on Sunday, following the publication of the taz article. According to the “Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung,” the vice president of the association stated the decision was made to prevent discussions about Neuhäuser personally from overshadowing the VNVR’s work.
The case highlights the growing concern surrounding online hate speech and its potential impact on public trust in institutions, including the judiciary. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as authorities continue to examine the evidence.
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The responsible authority in Lower Saxony sees the reason, among other things, as the increasing brutalization of language use on the Internet.
