Overview

• After a preliminary review, prosecutors launched a formal investigation, citing concrete indications that Bott styled himself as “Prof. Dr. Dr.” on his site until August 19 even though the titles were honorary.
• Bott removed the disputed styling overnight and now appears on his firm’s page as “Dr. Ingo Bott.”
• Authorities will assess whether further unpermitted uses occurred and emphasize the presumption of innocence, noting that §132a StGB can carry up to one year in prison or a fine.
• Bott says he has been an honorary professor at Universidad Tecnológica del Perú since December 2021 and received an honorary doctorate from Universidad Nacional de Piura in May 2024, arguing the debate concerns presentation rather than legitimacy.
• The matter drew public attention after a Facebook post by Passau law professor Holm Putzke and comes as Bott serves on the defense in Christina Block’s high-profile child abduction case in Hamburg.