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First Hearings Held at Munich's New Criminal Justice Center

First Hearings Held at Munich's New Criminal Justice Center

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Munich's new criminal justice center has begun court proceedings with two initial hearings.
  • One case involves a suspected member of a "Reichsbürger" group accused of planning a coup, while the other concerns suspected gang theft.
  • The new center, completed after over a decade of construction, cost approximately 400 million euros and will house four courts and two public prosecutor's offices.

Munich's newly constructed criminal justice center has officially commenced operations, marking the start of court proceedings within its modern facilities. The inaugural hearings took place recently, signaling a new era for judicial functions in the city.

The first case to be heard involved the continuation of proceedings against an alleged member of a "Reichsbürger" group. This group is reportedly accused of plotting a coup, and the trial is being conducted in the center's largest courtroom. This hall is notable for its dual designation, capable of being divided into two separate spaces named Illertissen and Neu-Ulm. Concurrently, a second case was being heard by the 10th Criminal Chamber, focusing on allegations of serious gang theft.

The new criminal justice center represents a significant investment, with construction spanning over ten years. The final cost amounted to approximately 400 million euros, exceeding the initial budget. The facility is designed to accommodate four courts and two public prosecutor's offices, consolidating judicial and prosecutorial services under one roof. It is projected to employ around 1,300 staff members.

Spanning a total area of 39,300 square meters, the building features three internal courtyards and separate staircases for inmates and judges. It is equipped with 54 courtrooms, each named after the most populous towns within their respective district court areas. This extensive infrastructure aims to streamline judicial processes and provide a more efficient working environment for legal professionals.

The trial against a suspected member of a Reichsbürger group continued.

— court spokespersonDescribing the first case heard in the new criminal justice center.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.