The Hamburg Interior Authority has withdrawn its application for an injunction against Left Party Member of Parliament Deniz Celik, a spokesperson confirmed. This comes after Celik stated that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LfV) was characterized by “cover-ups, informant scandals, and repeatedly by the protection of right-wing networks.”
Court’s Preliminary Assessment Influences Withdrawal
The decision to withdraw the application, which sought to prohibit Celik from making his statement about the LfV, was made after the Regional Court indicated that Celik’s statement should be considered a value judgment rather than a factual assertion. The court further advised that, based on its preliminary assessment, such a statement would be permissible.
LfV Maintains Stance, Respects Legal Assessment
Despite the withdrawal, the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution maintains its view that Celik’s statement is factually incorrect. A spokesperson for the LfV asserted, “The fight against right-wing extremism is part of the DNA of the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution.” However, the spokesperson added, “The inaccurate statement by Deniz Celik contradicting this will not be further challenged by the Hamburg LfV out of respect for the legal assessment.”
Left Party Demands Dismissal of LfV Head Voß and Special Session
The Left Party has interpreted the injunction application as an attempt at legal intimidation, particularly against an MP tasked with overseeing the LfV’s work within the parliamentary control committee. Consequently, co-faction leader David Stoop is demanding the dismissal of LfV head Torsten Voß. The party also seeks clarification on the background of the injunction application through a special session of the Interior Committee.
“We demand a special session in which Torsten Voß and Interior Senator Grote must comment on the processes that took place within the Interior Authority and, in particular, on the question of whether Senator Grote was also involved,” Stoop stated.
Celik Calls Incident “Incomprehensible”
Deniz Celik himself described the incident as an “incomprehensible process,” stating that “the Office for the Protection of the Constitution wanted to gag us.” He emphasized that an authority attempting to legally prohibit criticism of its handling of right-wing structures clearly demonstrates that “the critics are not the problem, but the Office for the Protection of the Constitution itself.”
Solidarity Demonstration for Celik
Approximately 30 individuals gathered in Hamburg’s city center to demonstrate in solidarity with Celik. This demonstration took place after the LfV had initially filed the legal action against him.
Mutual Accusations Between LfV and Hamburg Left Party
The Hamburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution had initially demanded a cease and desist declaration from Deniz Celik, prompting a counter-response from the Left Party MP.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/hamburgs-innenbehoerde-zieht-unterlassungsantrag-gegen-deniz-celik-zurueck,kurzehh-1802.html
