Disciplinary proceedings against a lieutenant concerning WhatsApp messages containing antisemitic statements (antisemitische Beleidigung) – The court ruled that offensive remarks in private group chats constitute a service offense only if they have an impact within the military context. Private messages exchanged within a trusted circle are protected by freedom of expression. The case also addressed procedural issues regarding judicial impartiality and examined the soldier’s disciplinary record.
GG Art. 1 Abs. 1, Art. 2 Abs. 1, Art. 5 Abs. 1 Satz 1, Art. 21 Abs. 2, Art. 101 Abs. 1 Satz 2
SG §§ 1 Abs. 3 Satz 1 und 2, 6 Satz 1, 8 Alt. 1 und 2, 10 Abs. 1 und 6, 17 Abs. 2 Satz 3, 22 Satz 1, 23 Abs. 1
StGB §§ 130, 185
StPO § 170 Abs. 2
VorgV § 4 Abs. 1 Nr. 2, Abs. 3
WBO § 17
WDO 2002 §§ 17 Abs. 2 und 5, 22, 38 Abs. 1, 58 Abs. 1 Nr. 1, Abs. 5 und 7, 77
Abs. 1 Nr. 2 Buchst. c, 82 Abs. 2 Satz 4, 108 Abs. 3 Satz 1, 121 Abs. 2, 123 Abs. 1 Satz 3, 126 Abs. 5 Satz 3, 138 Abs. 3, 139 Abs. 3, 140 Abs. 1