Overview
- On Friday the public prosecutor in Lübeck said there is an initial suspicion (Anfangsverdacht) that Sven Partheil‑Böhnke may have pretended a hacker attack to avoid blame for a vulgar e‑mail, and investigators have opened a formal case without filing charges so far.
- The e‑mail, sent in late March during the high‑profile rescue of the stranded whale known as 'Timmy', called marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann an "absolutely incompetent, self‑promoting spinner" and is central to the inquiry.
- Partheil‑Böhnke has denied sending the messages and told regional press he was hacked and privately suggested Lehmann’s supporters might be responsible, a claim now under criminal review.
- Local authorities say the mayor has been on sick leave and his deputy is handling municipal duties while police and the prosecutor question witnesses and review technical and forensic evidence.
- The case is unfolding against the wider controversy over the Timmy operation — the whale died after relocation and later DNA reports raised questions — and officials say forensic findings and the municipality’s internal review will be key to next steps.