Justiz: Prozess gegen Ex-Minister Scheuer nach Maut-Debakel begonnen

A trial against former Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) has commenced in Berlin, following a seven-year period since the controversial motorway toll fare debacle. The charges stem from a supposed false statement made before the Bundestag's Maut Investigation Committee. The prosecutor accuses the 51-year-old of lying during this committee meeting.

Co-accused Gerhard Schulz, the former state secretary at the age of 60, is also facing charges. The trial opened with the reading of the indictment, and Scheuer arrived early at the courthouse, even before the official admission. He did not make any statements. Scheuer, who resigned his Bundestag mandate in April 2024, denies the accusation.

His legal representative, Daniel Krause, stated on Deutsche Presse-Agentur's request that his client "firmly maintains" his innocence, "of having given an inaccurate answer to a question directed at him," and that he will "firmly defend himself against this accusation."

Schulz also denies the allegation. Both defendants retain the presumption of innocence until a definitive verdict is reached. The Berlin prosecutor's office initiated the investigation against both in April 2022, based on several complaints from private individuals. As of now, twelve trial days have been scheduled. A verdict could be delivered by November 25.

The law provides for a prison term of three months to five years if convicted. The planned motorway toll was deemed unlawful by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in June 2019, after it was found that only foreign drivers should be exempt from the road tax. Scheuer was in charge of transport matters at the time.