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Rammstein singer Till Lindemann at a concert in Düsseldorf (picture from June 2022)
Photo: Malte Krudewig / dpa
Rammstein singer Till Lindemann rejects the allegations against him, he has his interests represented by a lawyer in the current allegations. In the course of this, the law firm announced legal consequences – including against the media. The German Association of Journalists is now criticizing statements by the law firm Schertz Bergmann as an attempt to intimidate investigative media. The fact that the law firm, which is well-known in media matters, represents the interests of its client, who is accused of sexual assault at Rammstein concerts, is legitimate, DJV national chairman Frank Überall is quoted as saying in a statement. "The threat of legal action against journalists is an attempt to muzzle the media."
Several women accuse Lindemann of sexual assault and abuse of power. For example, they describe situations that they would have found frightening. Young women were selected during concerts and asked if they wanted to come to the after-show party. According to some women, sexual acts are also said to have occurred. You can read more about this in the SPIEGEL cover story .
The law firm, which specializes in press and media law, issued a press release on Thursday. The women's allegations are "invariably untrue".
For example, the suspicious reporting in the media will be examined, it continues. "In a large number of cases" this was "inadmissible", wrote the law firm, which sees a "sustained prejudgement to the detriment of our client", "in almost all cases". There had been a failure to "research and compile sufficient evidence" and "violate the requirement to report in a balanced and objective manner." Insofar as the principles of suspicious activity reporting have been violated, we will also take legal action against this immediately on behalf of our client."
Suspicious reporting is perfectly permissible as long as it adheres to the rules of the game, according to Überall. "Facts are absolutely part of this." As is well known, the fact that the Rammstein singer remains silent does not prevent reporting as long as further credible information is available. The media should not be intimidated by the press release of the Lindemann lawyer: "The allegations against the frontman of one of the most famous German bands are so serious that they must be researched and reported".
Übermedien founder Stefan Niggemeier is also critical on Twitter: "If #Lindemann and his celebrity lawyers think it helps the cause, they should take legal action. But this publication is only for intimidation. And, of course, the law firm's PR.«
Meanwhile, almost 25,000 people have signed a petition calling for the planned Rammstein concerts to be cancelled. "Sexualized violence, abuse of power, fantasies of violence must have no place on or behind Germany's stages," it says. "Anyone who gives suspected perpetrators the feeling that they can simply get away with such perfidious machinations is complicit."
Ani