In September our editor Basti will be on trial in Berlin. Last summer he reported on an anti-fascist protest camp in front of the Foreign Office and was later arrested. Basti wants to defend herself against the threatened fine - for this we need your support!

Our editor Basti will soon be in court - on September 18th he is scheduled to appear before the Tiergarten district court in Berlin. In July 2025, as a journalist, he accompanied a protest camp in front of the Foreign Office in Berlin that expressed solidarity with the anti-fascist person Maja. Anti-fascist Maja from Jena was illegally extradited to Hungary by German authorities and went on hunger strike last summer against the torture-like conditions in the Budapest prison.

As part of his journalistic work, our editor documented a protest in the entrance area of ​​the ZDF capital studio - clearly recognizable as a journalist and with his camera. Later, as he was leaving the protest camp in a side street of the Foreign Office, he was suddenly grabbed by four police officers, dragged into a police car and driven through the city for hours. The accusation: trespassing in the ZDF building. ZDF itself did not file any charges, and the accusation of trespassing has now been removed from the table.

Our editor was arrested

A year later, Basti is now due in court for resisting law enforcement officers. He is accused of having “suddenly brought his arms to the middle of his body and braced them against the direction” of the police officers when he was arrested. For this he faces a fine of around 1,500 euros.

We report independently

Basti believes the allegations are completely absurd. For him, it's not just about the specific procedure, but also about the question under which conditions journalists can document political protests without becoming the target of police measures and criminal proceedings themselves.

Our editor says: "I reported on the action because the vast majority of the German media landscape didn't do it. The illegal extradition of Maja is a scandal. The lack of outcry in the media and politics is next."

Two years after delivery: A look back at Maja's fight for freedom

Only due to increasing public pressure was more of Maja's story reported. The Save Maja camp in front of the Foreign Office in Berlin was one of many combative and creative protest actions during the period.

Resistance also in court

Our editor believes it is important to defend yourself against even small legal attacks like this. Especially because freedom of the press is in danger worldwide, including in Germany. Not least because of increasing police violence against media professionals, such as at the AfD federal party conferences in Giessen and Riesa.

Journalism in Germany is increasingly threatened by fascist and state attacks

But defending yourself against state proceedings costs a lot of money - be it legal support, preparation for the trial and journalistic support of the case. However, as an independent and non-commercial medium, we at Denken Online only have limited financial resources.

That's why we ask you, our readers, for support. With your donation you will help Basti defend himself against the allegations and at the same time continue to make independent journalism possible.

You can donate directly viaour websiteor via the one organized by usgofundme campaign. Every contribution helps – thank you for your solidarity and support!

We will report on the progress and outcome of the process on September 18th and keep you updated. There will also be a rally on site to promote solidarity in the process.

The postCriminalization of press work: Support our editor Basti in court!appeared firstperspective.