German judge sentenced for ruling against government’s mask mandates.

German Judge Sentenced to⁣ Prison for Ruling Against Mask Mandates

In⁤ a groundbreaking case that captured ⁢national attention, Judge Christian Dettmar ⁣of Germany has been sentenced to prison for​ defying⁢ the government’s mask mandates. His courageous decision to‌ strike down a⁢ local‍ ordinance requiring schoolchildren​ to wear masks in the state of Thuringia made headlines across‍ the country.

However, Judge Dettmar’s⁢ act of ⁤defiance came at a great cost. Not ⁤only ​will he lose his legal career and pension, but he ‌has also been handed a ‍two-year suspended prison sentence for allegedly “perverting the law.”

During the pandemic era ⁤lockdowns, the Thuringian state government mandated that all schoolchildren wear‌ masks and maintain ‍social distancing. However, Judge Dettmar ruled that masks should not be ⁢mandatory for children at two schools in Weimar, Thuringia, after a concerned mother raised issues ⁣of insomnia,‍ nausea, and⁢ headaches experienced ‌by her‍ children.

‘I Saw​ Danger in Delay’

Judge Dettmar firmly⁣ believed that the mask mandates were not ​in the best interest ‌of⁤ the children‍ involved. He ⁣courageously‍ informed the schools in Weimar that they could no⁣ longer enforce the order, as it was incompatible with‍ the children’s well-being.

Unsurprisingly, ‍his​ decision‍ sparked outrage among the state government,​ leading to calls for his punishment and removal from the bench.

The Higher‌ Regional Court in Erfurt overturned Judge Dettmar’s ruling ⁢following a complaint by the ⁤state’s education department. The district court​ in ⁤Erfurt argued that only​ an administrative⁣ court had the jurisdiction‍ to make‌ such a ruling, and Judge Dettmar’s decision fell outside the scope⁤ of his court.

“The good cause of protecting children, which they may⁣ have⁤ had in the back of their minds, does not justify⁢ the way,”⁤ stated the district‍ court judge in his ruling.

Despite facing backlash, Judge⁤ Dettmar ‌stood by his decision, emphasizing that he had consulted certified university ‌experts before making his ⁣ruling.

“I⁣ still ‍don’t know‌ why I’m sitting here. I have three grown-up children myself. At that ‍time, I was ‍driven by the everyday life of the schoolchildren. I saw ⁣danger in delay. The reports ⁤I use come from experienced university professors,”‌ he ⁢explained.

Unfortunately, the‍ high court’s decision resulted in Judge Dettmar’s⁤ suspension from the ‍bench after a disciplinary hearing conducted by the Judicial ⁤Service Court.

State prosecutors ⁢retaliated by ⁤charging the judge with ⁢”perverting the ​law” and ruling ⁢on a matter‌ beyond his ​authority. They accused him of deleting emails and files to conceal the motives behind his⁤ ruling.

Prosecutors further alleged that Judge ​Dettmar‍ showed bias‌ towards experts critical of lockdown measures before hearing from the official experts ‌consulted in the case.

Judge Dettmar admitted consulting with skeptical scientists ‌but ‍maintained that his decision was based on genuine concern for ⁣the well-being of the children.

State⁣ Prosecutors ‌Seek Harsher​ Sentence

While awaiting the investigation’s results, Judge Dettmar was suspended on probation. His legal team ‌is now considering an appeal as he faces ‍possible dismissal from his judicial duties, in addition to the two-year suspended sentence.

Under German law, a civil servant sentenced to​ a⁤ custodial sentence exceeding 12 months loses both their position⁣ and pension.

The prosecutors, who initially sought‍ a ‌three-year sentence, ⁣are also appealing the ⁤judgment, according to⁢ MDR,⁢ a​ German news outlet closely following the case.

The defense argues that the trial was politically motivated and⁢ aimed at ⁣silencing dissenting voices.

Prior to ⁤his sentencing,⁢ Judge Dettmar expressed ⁤no regrets about his decision and affirmed​ that he would make the same ruling ‍again “out of​ deep ⁣inner conviction.”

“I have ⁢considerable ⁢doubts about the usefulness of mask mandates,” ‌he concluded.