Press Release: 14th Day of Trial Against Michael Ballweg – Head of the Tax Investigation Department on the Witness Stand

Undefined Purposes of Querdenken

A recurring issue was the lack of definition regarding the tax-related purposes of "Querdenken." Neither the head of the department nor his employees could provide a clear statement on which activities could be attributed to Querdenken’s purposes for tax purposes. Instead, the witness relied on "personal experience."

Michael Ballweg criticized: "To this day, the Tax Investigation Department and the Public Prosecutor's Office have failed to provide us with a clear definition. Decisions seem to be based more on subjective assumptions than objective criteria."

Interrupted Testimony and Lack of Scrutiny

The testimony revealed that the head of the Tax Investigation Department merely found his employees' findings plausible and did not conduct a thorough review. Attorney Gregor Samimi commented: "It seems that the work of the head of the department relied more on trust in his staff's reports than on his own scrutiny. Such an approach raises questions about the thoroughness of the investigation."

Year-End Reflection and Outlook

Despite the challenges, the defense expressed satisfaction with the trial’s progress so far. Attorney Ralf Ludwig emphasized the importance of teamwork: "Our strong legal team is working exceptionally well together."

Michael Ballweg concluded: "The trial has shown that many questions remain unresolved, especially regarding the tax-related classification of Querdenken. I hope that more clarity will be achieved in the new year."

Season's Greetings and Continuation in the New Year

With this court date, the trial enters its Christmas recess. The next hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2025.

Michael Ballweg and his legal team wish all trial observers and supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year: "Let’s use the holiday season to recharge. Together, we will start 2025 with renewed energy!"