In Germany, the executive wants to ask the climate stickers of the "last generation" to pay for the costs they cause. However, the amounts are much lower than one would expect at first, because any reimbursement of costs that those who caused the damage have to pay is regulated and capped by law.

On December 8, 2022 and May 5, 2022, among other things, the self-proclaimed climate protectors believed they had to illegally enter the security area of ​​Berlin-Brandenburg Airport. This not only caused disruption to flight operations, but also necessitated the deployment of the Federal Police. They removed the climate stickers.

In the case of willful actions, it is possible that the executive can charge for the deployment costs. The same also applies if you dial the emergency call "just for fun" and emergency services move out without any need. The amount of the cost reimbursement that must be paid, if requested by the respective carrier, is regulated by law. So there is no leeway up or down, because for pretty much every "handle" there is a precisely determined amount of how much you have to pay.

It should also be noted that the "organization" of the climate sticker does not have to pay for the costs, but that the people who committed the crime are personally prosecuted. According to a statement from the Federal Police, the "activists" will initially be billed 8 euros for the police operations they willfully caused on the area of ​​Berlin-Brandenburg Airport for the days of December 2022, 5 and May 2022, 5.330.

Reimbursement is regulated by law

At first glance, the sum seems low, because 1.060 euros are due on November 24, 2022 and are shared between six people. As already mentioned: The amount of reimbursement that the executive can claim is regulated by law and capped. So it cannot be ruled out that the actual costs could have been significantly higher.

However, the climate stickers do not seem to be willing or able to pay. According to the Federal Police, corresponding administrative procedures are underway for two people because they have lodged objections to the decisions. As a result, the imposition of the deployment costs on these two demonstrators is not yet legally binding and therefore cannot be enforced.

The situation is completely different with four other climate stickers. These are said to have already come into force and, despite repeated reminders, no payment has been made. The consequence of this is that foreclosure has been initiated. This means that assets, account balances and objects can be seized. There are no plans to impose a replacement prison sentence, since this is not a punishment but, in a broader sense, compensation for damages.

Airlines and airports are suing under civil law

However, there are likely to be further cost notifications from the federal police for the climate stickers, because it is currently being examined whether those responsible for the deployments in Sylt, Düsseldorf, Munich and so on should also be charged for the deployments. In these cases, too, the cost notices will be directed against the perpetrators personally and not against their "organization". According to the federal police, in Westerland, where a business jet was defaced with orange paint, it is about 2.280 euros.

It is highly unlikely that only the deployment costs of the executive will have to be paid. Both the affected airports and the airlines that suffered damage due to the sticking have announced that they will sue the "activists" for damages. In the case of airports, this can involve property damage such as fences being cut through, but also loss of earnings. The airlines will probably demand additional costs incurred.

This can certainly amount to millions of euros, but a lawsuit is not a judgement, because it must also be proven in court that the costs or loss of earnings in the claimed amount have actually been incurred. However, the amount in dispute alone should mean that the costs for legal representation will be correspondingly high. If these cannot be raised, there is the possibility that a lawyer can be provided within the framework of legal aid, especially if a lawyer is compulsory due to the position of the court.