40th Day of Trial – Tax Office Calculates €200,000 Refund – On Court Order

Attorney Löffler Calls for End to Evidence – Legal Question Needs Clarification

The tax officer had major memory gaps and could not answer key questions about the sample calculation he had prepared just over two weeks earlier, on June 18, 2025. The defense requested that he be sworn in – the court denied the motion.

Attorney Reinhard Löffler stated:

“The €200,000 refund is written in the audit report. What remains is a legal question – whether gifts are taxable. We don’t need more witnesses for that.”

Attorney Gregor Samimi also called for a dismissal of the case under § 153 of the Criminal Procedure Code due to minor guilt, which does not imply an admission of guilt. The prosecution again refused to agree.

“All sides could walk away with dignity. But the prosecution insists on continuing – despite exculpatory findings.”

Prosecution Suggests Bitcoin Use for Personal Survival

Michael Ballweg reported on the consequences of the missing tax refund: For the year 2020, a tax assessment based on a tax fraud unit’s estimate is in place. According to the current court-ordered sample calculation, the tax office would now have to refund €200,000. For the years 2021 and 2022, no notices have been issued – the tax office has refused to process them, even though over €450,000 have been seized.

When Ballweg spoke about his financial difficulties, prosecutor Dr. Gräfe suggested he use the alleged Bitcoin assets of QUERDENKEN-711. Ballweg responded sarcastically:

“I’m on trial for allegedly misusing QUERDENKEN funds – and now the prosecution is suggesting exactly that?”

Two Additional Witnesses from the QUERDENKEN-711 Network

Two more witnesses from the citizens' movement appeared in court unexpectedly. One of them was brought in by police after a doctor’s note had failed to arrive. Neither of the testimonies added incriminating evidence. One witness confirmed he had received money from Ballweg to purchase tents and promotional materials for demonstrations in Heinsberg.

Defense Highlights Financial Burden of Ongoing Trial

Attorney Hans Böhme emphasized that dismissal under § 153 StPO is not an admission of guilt – but rather an economically reasonable outcome:

“Continuing this trial with more court dates is disproportionate – and unworthy of a constitutional state.”

Outlook

The next day of trial is scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Stuttgart Regional Court. A witness from the tax investigation department is expected – responsible for the VAT-related portion of the investigation.