A German court’s ruling has sparked debate on the use of surveillance and searches by the Thuringian police, with a leading opposition figure calling for a re-evaluation of the measures.
The Gera District Court recently declared a phone tap and a search of a residence, conducted in the context of internal police investigations, to be unlawful. Ronald Hande, the interior policy spokesperson for the Left faction in the Thuringian state parliament, stressed that such measures can only be justified as a last resort and must be carefully weighed against the principles of proportionality.
Hande pointed out that the January revelation of an unrelated witness being searched in the so-called Saalfeld complex highlighted the need for careful consideration of such intrusions. He also expressed particular criticism of the search of the GdP’s office, during which, according to the faction, sensitive data on 4,500 members was seized.
The opposition faction plans to closely monitor any further court decisions and is calling for a thorough investigation into the incidents to restore public trust in the police. Hande emphasized that the measures must always be proportionate and in line with the rule of law, underscoring the importance of upholding these principles in law enforcement.