Fraud trial for leader of German anti-lockdown movement begins

The criminal fraud trial against the founder of Germany's Querdenken (Lateral Thinking) movement, which protested against coronavirus pandemic measures, began on Wednesday before a court in Stuttgart.

Michael Ballweg, 49, is accused of having deceived donors to the movement over how their money would be used. He collected more than €1 million ($1.1 million) from thousands of supporters through public appeals.

His lawyers have rejected the accusations, and Ballweg on Wednesday told journalists at the courthouse that he was going into the proceedings with a good feeling.

"Everything is fine," he said.

Ballweg, who arrived wearing a shirt with the slogan "Freedom is made of courage," allowed press photographers to snap his picture before the start of proceedings.

Some of Ballweg's supporters gathered in the courtroom.

Germany's Lateral Thinking movement launched in Stuttgart during the coronavirus pandemic but spread to many cities across the country. Supporters repeatedly staged protests against lockdown measures, vaccine requirements and other aspects of the government response.

There were also incidents where police officers and journalists were attacked.