German lawyers file criminal complaint against Chancellor Scholz over weapons supply to Israel

Berlin (Quds News Network) – German lawyers representing Palestinian families from the Gaza Strip have submitted a criminal complaint against prominent German officials, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, accusing them of supplying weapons to Israel that contribute to the ongoing Israeli genocide.

The criminal complaint was filed in Germany, and prosecutors from the Federal Prosecutor’s office in Karlsruhe will now review the case. If the case proceeds, it could potentially lead to a formal investigation, involving questioning of government officials implicated in the complaint.

Among those named are Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock, Finance Minister Christian Lindner, and members of the Bundessicherheitsrat, the government body responsible for authorizing Germany’s arms export licenses.

The legal action is supported by civil society organizations, including the European Legal Support Center, the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy, and Law for Palestine under the Justice and Accountability for Palestine Initiative. Notably, Nora Rogab, an activist with relatives in Gaza, is among the plaintiffs involved in the case.

The complaint points to a substantial increase in German defense export approvals to Israel, nearly tenfold since October 7, according to a Reuters report. As of November 2, Israel has been granted permission to import close to €323 million worth of German defense equipment.

The German government has not yet officially responded to the criminal complaint.