German Authorities Crack Down on Criminal Activity

Berlin - In a bid to tackle a range of criminal activities, German authorities have launched a crackdown on individuals accused of committing offenses related to data manipulation, public records falsification, gaming, bribery, and environmental crimes.

Suspects Accused of Various Crimes

• Manipulating data
• Falsifying public records
• Organizing illegal gaming operations
• Taking and giving bribes
• Illegally disposing of hazardous waste
• Handling radioactive substances and dangerous goods without proper authorization
• Smuggling people into the country
• Inciting false asylum applications
• Evading taxes
• Committing acts related to intellectual property infringement

Broader Effort to Combat Criminal Activity

The crackdown is part of a broader effort by German law enforcement officials to combat criminal activity and protect the environment. The authorities are working closely together with other agencies to investigate these cases and bring those responsible to justice.

De Minimis Rules in Germany

Germany has de minimis rules in place for money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud offenses. For example:

• There is no threshold limit below which the offense will not be prosecuted for money laundering.
• The penalty range can be decreased if the financial assets involved are of low value for terrorism financing.
• For fraud, an especially serious case can be excluded if the asset components involved are of minor value (i.e., do not exceed €50).
• Additionally, the offense may only be prosecuted upon request unless the public prosecutor considers it necessary due to special public interest.

Penalties and Plea Agreements

The penalties for money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud offenses in Germany can vary depending on the circumstances of each case. Generally speaking:

• Individuals who engage in these activities can face imprisonment for between three months and five years.
• In particularly serious cases, the penalty can be up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
• Plea agreements are also available in German criminal proceedings.
• However, unlike some other countries, German prosecutors have no discretion to initiate investigations. Instead, they must act against any person reasonably suspected of criminal activity.

Defences Available

In Germany, a number of defences may be available to individuals accused of money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud offenses, including:

• The defence of mistake of fact or law
• The defence of duress
• The defence of insanity

Conclusion

Germany’s crackdown on criminal activity is an important step towards protecting the environment and combating illegal activities. The de minimis rules, penalties, and plea agreements in place are designed to ensure that justice is served fairly and transparently.