15 December 2025 – Husum/Schleswig-Holstein

Almost two years after farmers prevented the then children's book author and Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) from leaving a ship during a protest action at the ferry pier in Schlüttsiel, penalty orders have now been issued against several participants. This has been confirmed by the Husum District Court.

"The accused have the opportunity to appeal, as the public prosecutor's office announced. In this case, a main hearing is scheduled. The public prosecutor's office also pointed out that the presumption of innocence applies until a possible final conviction."  

On December 3, 2025, the Flensburg public prosecutor's office applied for penalty orders for joint coercion and the court has now issued them. Five men and one woman between the ages of 33 and 60 are affected.

The accused can appeal against the penalty orders. If an objection is made, there will be a main hearing in court. Until a final decision is made, the presumption of innocence applies.

The incident occurred on January 4, 2024 in Schlüttsiel (North Frisia district). At that time, several hundred farmers and supporters gathered at the ferry pier when Habeck – returning from a private excursion to the Hallig Hooge – approached the mainland on a ship. The demonstrators blocked the jetty and prevented the minister from leaving the ship.

The action was primarily directed against planned cuts in agricultural subsidies and tax breaks for agricultural vehicles, which were part of the budget policy of the traffic light coalition at the time. Many farmers saw this as an existential threat to their farms.

Because the protesters did not withdraw despite negotiations, the ship was set sail again for safety reasons, and Habeck was only able to go ashore at another location several hours later.

The Schlüttsiel operation was not an isolated case: At the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, farmers throughout Germany carried out a series of actions and blockades, including rallies with tractors, motorway blockades and demonstrations in major cities. These protests were embedded in a broader dissatisfaction with the federal government's agricultural and energy policy.

The wave of protests had also triggered some political criticism: politicians and associations made statements of varying degrees on the legitimacy of the actions – from understanding for farmers' economic concerns to clear rejection of violent or illegal forms of protest.

Officials and the public prosecutor's office emphasise that law and order must apply, even in the event of political protests – and that the rule of law is still working consistently two years later. At the same time, the agricultural associations point out that many farmers are still deeply uncertain about economic conditions and political decision-making processes.

The court's decision is not yet final. Depending on the filing of objections, there could be public court hearings, in the course of which further details and evidence will then be examined.








Author: MFRadio.de - Editors
Sources: DIE WELT / t-online