Man Fined €4,500 for Hugging German Chancellor Scholz

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Man Fined €4,500 for Hugging German Chancellor Scholz
Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach, pool via AP/TT

The middle-aged man slipped past Olaf Scholz's bodyguards and gave Germany's Federal Chancellor a hug. But you don't do that unpunished – the 50-year-old has now been fined 4,500 euros (50,000 kronor).

It was when Scholz was about to leave Frankfurt after visiting the European Central Bank (ECB) in May 2023 that the man approached and hugged the head of government.

The episode triggered an investigation into Scholz's personal protection, even though it was clearly never a threat in this case. Spokesperson Wolfgang Büchner said at the time that Scholz "never felt threatened at any stage".

The perpetrator has explained that he was intoxicated and apologized during the trial.

Formally, the man is convicted of disrupting traffic and unlawful trespassing.

Scholz is about to step down as Chancellor. The Social Democrat is expected to be succeeded by Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz in May.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers

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