The monument to Wilhelm von Humboldt in front of the Humboldt University (symbolic photo) Photo: picture alliance
From BZ/dpa
The Berlin public prosecutor’s office has dropped its investigations into a former university lecturer on suspicion of sexual harassment and insult.
The examination of the facts did not result in any initial suspicion, as a spokeswoman said on request. The proceedings were discontinued on August 24th.
In an open letter in mid-July, strangers accused the ex-professor at Humboldt University of sexualized violence and abuse of power. The letter published on the left-wing platform “Indymedia” states that the accused has been abusing “his position of power as a lecturer and supervisor for more than 20 years”. According to the allegations, there are cases of physical and sexual violence. In addition, the man had expressed “transphobic and racist” in lectures. At the request of the German Press Agency, the former lecturer has not yet commented on the allegations.
The police began an official investigation into the man in early August. No ads had been received as of earlier this week. The police were initially unable to provide any information on the current status.
The Humboldt University in Berlin has meanwhile given notice to the accused. The university management is convinced that further employment of the employee “can no longer be expected of the students, lecturers and employees of the Humboldt University”, it said last week as justification.
The accused had been released until further notice since the beginning of August. According to the information, the employee has filed a complaint against the extraordinary dismissal.