He is a collector, said the accused police officer. Someone with a “penchant” for things that indicate a rank. He wanted to create a “display wall” in his apartment, “with all the rank insignias.” Incredulous looks were directed at Martin R., who was in front of the Tiergarten District Court It involved false IDs, which even showed him as a supposed chief inspector, a police badge, shoulder straps, a suspicious cartridge and a photo with a swastika.
The 55-year-old was not at a loss for answers. “I did not see the swastika.” He does not glorify the Nazi era. Why did he share the picture, which shows five Wehrmacht soldiers with a standard, on social media? “For me it was about the guard of honour,” said the police officer. The flag was rolled up. Public Prosecutor countered: “Anyone who shares a photo like this must expect that forbidden symbols will be visible.”
Boxes full of fake IDs
After R. forwarded the photo that had been sent to him, a tip-off about him was received by the State Criminal Police Office. Investigators searched his apartment in July 2023. They also found the false ID cards in boxes – the plastic cards showed the employed police officer with the rank of chief inspector. There were also shoulder straps and a badge. A cartridge that could possibly fall into the category of military weapons was also discovered.
Martin R. assured several times during the trial that he had “nothing to do with right-wing stuff”. After his time in the German army, he worked for a large company – in the security sector. That was when the ID cards were made. “I wanted to show the trainees what a real police ID card looks like.” Why didn’t it say “sample” on the chip card? “It should be pretty close to the original.”
The shoulder boards, the police badge? “I never wanted to wear them,” said the 55-year-old. He bought the items on the Internet because he is a collector. Even during his time in the Bundeswehr, he was interested in rank badges. And because he was also a flag bearer at the time, he was only interested in the honor guard in the photo.
He “doesn’t reflect so much”
R. had explained to his investigating colleagues that he “posts a lot, but doesn’t reflect so much.” His defense attorney said: “One thumb movement – and it’s shared.” R. probably should have looked more closely at such a photo. It was a “negligent action.” “I don’t see any criminal liability,” said the attorney.
The proceedings have already had disciplinary consequences: R., who was initially an employee of the Central Property Protection Department, was transferred to the Fines Office and now evaluates, among other things, speed camera photos, it was said in the trial.
The prosecutor and the court assessed Martin R.’s allegations as “implausible” and “defensive claims”. He probably wanted to “show off” with the ID cards at an appropriate opportunity. He was fined 6,300 euros (90 daily rates of 70 euros each) for the forgeries and use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations. The case concerning the cartridges was dropped. The verdict is not yet final.
