Overview

• The Landgericht Stuttgart cleared Michael Ballweg of attempted fraud in 9,450 cases, finding prosecutors could not prove deliberate misuse of donations
• Prosecutors had accused Ballweg of diverting over €1 million raised through his Querdenken 711 movement for personal and protest activities
• Judges convicted him of minor tax evasion involving negligible amounts and imposed only a formal warning without further penalty
• Ballweg is entitled to compensation for his 279 days in pretrial detention and for costs related to asset seizures and searches
• The Staatsanwaltschaft Stuttgart has signaled it will swiftly review the verdict to determine whether to lodge an appeal