The first trial against two climate activists after the paint attack on the Brandenburg Gate initially fell through. The Tiergarten district court suspended proceedings against two 20 and 21-year-old members of the climate group Last Generation on Tuesday. The background is a dispute over the amount of costs for the cleaning work on the Berlin landmark after the attack on September 17, 2023.
According to the defense, these would not have amounted to more than 25,000 euros “if cleaned professionally”, as an expert’s report would show. According to the prosecution, around 55,000 euros in cleaning costs were incurred after the attack. The estimated total damage is said to be 115,000 euros.
The defense therefore requested that an expert report be obtained. From the court’s point of view, this application must be considered calmly. The public prosecutor’s office was also of this opinion. According to the court, the trial could not have ended on Tuesday anyway because three witnesses did not appear.
