"The defendant, the State of Berlin, argues the police were right to act preemptively as they predicted criminal statements would be made at the conference, specifically incitement to hatred, dissemination of propaganda or use of symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organisations. The police justified this prediction in part on the basis that in a news conference held prior to the event, organisers allegedly did not distance themselves from the Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023."
"I'm not aware of any other instance where a conference was shut down without any crime having been committed, Michael Ploese, the lawyer representing the conference organisers, told Al Jazeera. He said that German law only allowed restrictions on gatherings in private rooms where there was high probability that a criminal act would be committed, and that the right to freedom of expression usually took precedence."
Organisers of a pro-Palestine conference in Berlin brought a lawsuit after police closed the event on April 12, 2024, soon after it began. The forum gathered solidarity activists and human rights experts to address Israel's actions in Gaza and alleged German complicity. The State of Berlin contends police acted preemptively because they expected criminal statements including incitement to hatred, propaganda dissemination, or use of symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organisations. Police cited organisers' alleged failure to distance themselves from the October 7 Hamas-led incursion. Officers in riot gear cut power to prevent speeches and livestreaming. Organisers' lawyer argues German law allows restrictions only when a high probability of criminal acts exists and that freedom of expression usually takes precedence.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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