Berlin demands €142,000 from Brandenburg Gate paint attackers

DPA
·2 min read
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Traces of paint can be seen on the pillars of the Brandenburg Gate after the paint attack by climate activists. Around five months after a paint attack on the Brandenburg Gate, the state of Berlin is demanding some €142,000 ($152,170) in compensation from the climate activists responsible. Monika Skolimowska/dpa
Traces of paint can be seen on the pillars of the Brandenburg Gate after the paint attack by climate activists. Around five months after a paint attack on the Brandenburg Gate, the state of Berlin is demanding some €142,000 ($152,170) in compensation from the climate activists responsible. Monika Skolimowska/dpa

Around five months after a paint attack on the Brandenburg Gate, the state of Berlin is demanding some €142,000 ($152,170) in compensation from the climate activists responsible.

A corresponding civil lawsuit has been filed with the Berlin Regional Court by the commissioned law firm, a spokeswoman for the German capital's Department of Finance announced on Tuesday in response to an enquiry.

The suit is directed against 13 members of the Last Generation climate activism group. The application is for them to be sentenced as joint and several debtors. Specifically, they are to pay €141,575.58 plus interest to the city state.

A spokeswoman for the Berlin district court was initially unable to comment on the proceedings.

According to the tax authorities, the climate demonstrators had initially agreed via the media to pay for the cleaning of the Brandenburg Gate. However, the activists had not complied with the request for an initial payment totalling €115,000.

"Since all the final invoices for the extensive cleaning work have now been received, the lawsuit could be filed," they said.

"Vandalism has consequences," said Berlin Finance Senator Stefan Evers. Berliners should not have to foot the bill for the costs of "criminal activities," the conservative politician stressed.

"Wilful vandalism is not a form of democratic dissent," he added. Evers had previously announced his intention to ask the climate activists to pay.

Members of Last Generation had sprayed the landmark with orange-yellow paint on September 17. The action made headlines - and caused outrage. The cleaning work was time-consuming and was only completed at the beginning of December.

According to the public prosecutor's office, it has so far initiated a total of 14 proceedings against those suspected of being involved in the paint attack.

They have charged the climate demonstrators with criminal damage to property and some with resisting law enforcement officers.

Around two months after the first paint attack, the landmark was once again smeared with orange paint by members of Last Generation.