In Germany, 69-year-old climate activist Karl Braig, a member of the “Last Generation” protest group, has been sentenced to five months in prison for blocking roads.
According to his statements, Braig was sentenced by the Passau District Court to a five-month suspended prison sentence. However, after he refused to pay a fine of 500 euros, the Passau public prosecutor’s office sent him to the Kempton prison for five months.
The punishment stems from two sit-in protests in March 2023 in Passau, where Braig and other demonstrators blocked traffic. The protests lasted for about an hour and a half each day.
According to a report in Süddeutsche Zeitung, Braig has been involved in active protest movements for many years. He had previously participated in demonstrations in Mutlangen against the deployment of Pershing missiles and was active in anti-nuclear protests in Wackersdorf, as well as opposing the “Stuttgart 21” railway project. The 69-year-old retiree now lives in a self-managed “eco-village” in Baden-Württemberg.
A representative from “Last Generation,” Christian Bergemann, described the sentence as an “overly harsh reaction” from the judiciary. In particular, the timing of the court summons, just before the Christmas amnesty, was criticized. During this period, arrest warrants are typically not issued.
Before Braig’s imprisonment, “Last Generation” organized a vigil outside the Kempton prison, with about 50 group members present. Several people gave emotional speeches and said their goodbyes to Braig. “You are not alone,” the group shouted in unison as the 69-year-old entered the prison.
