Overview

• The trial of a 50-year-old man who unlawfully entered Frankfurt Airport and embraced Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the tarmac in May 2023 has begun at the Frankfurter Amtsgericht.
• The suspect admitted to being under the influence of cocaine and sleep-deprived during the incident, describing it as a 'süß-bittere Erfahrung' and expressing remorse in court.
• The incident raised significant concerns about the security measures protecting high-ranking officials and access to restricted areas at major transport hubs.
• Chancellor Scholz, who was not visibly threatened during the encounter, remained calm and later clarified that he did not feel endangered at any point.
• The suspect, with a history of offenses including driving under the influence, faces charges of endangering public safety and trespassing.