Graffiti against Merz: Police search apartment of 17-year-old SPD youth leader

According to the newspaper Bild, an incident in North Rhine-Westphalia has raised serious doubts about the functioning of the German constitutional state.

In the early morning of April 1, police searched the home of 17-year-old Nela Kruschinski, a student and chairwoman of the local SPD youth organization (Jusos).

Her laptop and cell phone were confiscated.

The reason for the raid was the suspicion that she could be responsible for anti-Merz graffiti – including the words “Merz aufs Maul” (Merz on the mouth), which appeared during a visit by Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the city.

The teenager denies the allegations, reported WDR. Former Justice Minister Thomas Kutschaty took over her defense and criticized the illegality of the action.

A court has since ruled in his favor.

The measure was based solely on an anonymous letter and vague witness statements.

The case is made even more controversial by the fact that the presiding judge of the local court is Chancellor Merz's wife. However, she denied any influence.

(red)