Image: Imago | Comsport
The vaccination pass procedure of the Bremen public prosecutor’s office against Markus Anfang is on the home stretch. We explain what the ex-Werder coach will now face.
The procedure in the vaccination pass scandal involving ex-Werder coach Markus Anfang is nearing its end. Although the investigation by the Bremen public prosecutor’s office is still ongoing, the case can be expected to close “promptly”, as spokesman Frank Passade confirmed when asked by buten un. We explain what happened last in the proceedings, how the prosecution will proceed and what could come next.
Beginning made a confession in December
On Wednesday it became known that the beginning of the public prosecutor’s office had already conveyed a confession through his lawyer in December. The 47-year-old admitted in writing that his vaccination card was forged. Beginning thus admitted the charge against him of “using an incorrect health certificate”. The Criminal Code provides for a fine or imprisonment of up to one year for such an offense. Beginning also provided information on the origin of the ID card. However, it is not known whether he forged the document himself or had it forged.
As buten un reported on Thursday, is still being investigated because of another, much more serious crime towards the beginning. Because the second allegation relates to the “use of a forged document”. The background to this is that the 47-year-old is said to have gained access to a carnival celebration in Cologne in November using his forged vaccination pass. According to the Criminal Code, a fine or imprisonment of up to five years is provided for this offense. The Bremen public prosecutor’s office is also responsible in this case, as it was already entrusted with the main allegation.
Two actions, one overall decision
Image: Imago | zinc
Both crimes are dealt with by the public prosecutor in one procedure. This means that despite two allegations, there will only be one verdict. The public prosecutor is currently weighing the “sanctions” with which they want to “counter” the beginning, as spokesman Passade says. In cases where the accused confesses, it is customary for a penalty order to be issued. A procedure that, according to Passade, is “very likely” to be used at the beginning.
Accordingly, the proceedings could be ended in writing instead of a court hearing. If the public prosecutor’s office issues a corresponding judicial penalty order, it specifies a fine in the document, which would initially have to be paid in the form of daily rates. According to Passade, the amount of the total penalty is measured by the “economic opportunities” that the accused has at his disposal. Usually the following applies: A daily rate is around 3.33 percent of net monthly income.
The number of daily rates determines the criminal record
However, the number of daily rates proposed by the public prosecutor’s office is also relevant. Because: The greater the guilt is assessed, the more daily rates are imposed. And their number is used to determine whether the accused has a criminal record: If the public prosecutor’s office estimates more than 90 daily rates, the accused will in future be deemed to have a criminal record. In the case of the beginning, the fact that he provided information about the origin of the falsified ID card could at least mitigate the penalty.
But even if the proceedings of the Bremen public prosecutor’s office soon come to an end, further legal consequences threaten at the beginning. Finally, there is another proceeding against the 47-year-old at the German Football Association. Accordingly, the beginning of the forgery of his vaccination card could also have violated the hygiene regulations of the German Football League. In addition to a further fine, there is also a risk of a temporary ban on working as a result of this procedure. A not inconsiderable limitation for a soccer coach.
Image: Imago | Jan Huebner
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Sportblitz, January 5, 2021, 6:06 p.m.