When the Bergstrasse district administrator Christian Engelhardt (CDU) leaves his house these days, he is particularly careful.

Because there is a death threat against him.

At least verbally, expressed in a social network on a “lateral thinker” page.

The security authorities know the case and are keeping an eye on Engelhardt and his family, as a spokeswoman for the South Hesse police headquarters confirmed.

The author of this and another post is currently being investigated.

Engelhardt attaches great importance to being on the move in several social networks, as he said. There he can explain his work and stay in dialogue with citizens. In his district he is therefore also called the “digital district administrator”.

The anger against Engelhardt, who was just introduced into office for a second term almost two weeks ago, was apparently sparked by a small video clip that he had already posted on the Internet in late summer 2020, at the height of the corona pandemic, and which is now was shared in the “lateral thinker” network.

In this clip Engelhardt criticized students who, despite the relevant regulations, do not wear masks in the playground and do not keep the distances.

“I would like to release him from his suffering.

With an ax, knife or bare hands, ”writes a user on the social network.

Legally speaking, this post is a death threat or even a call to murder, which is why the police were turned on.

"I have limited fear"

Engelhardt reminds of the former Kassel District President Walter Lübcke, who was shot on June 2, 2019.

A video in which Lübcke campaigned for refugees had previously made the rounds in social networks.

“I have limited fear,” Engelhardt describes his emotional state.

Nevertheless, he will continue to attend events and maintain personal contact with people.

He is known for that.

It annoys him when he had to read on the Internet these days: "The Nuremberg Trial 2.0 is not far." He knows that in his district there are also citizens of the Reich in addition to Corona deniers and "lateral thinkers".

Again and again he received letters in the district office that were addressed to the "Kreis Bergstrasse GmbH".

Others would apply for “citizenship cards”.

"And there are quite a few," said the district administrator.

Engelhardt criticizes the fact that there is hardly any objective discussion on social networks.

As soon as someone insults others, they will not be reprimanded by commentators.

"Instead, people are still saddling on." Society must become more sensitive and stop the spread of hate messages and threats.

No information on protection

Engelhardt knows that a local politician cannot be protected like a minister.

He doesn't want to say what protection he currently has.

But he doesn't want to be intimidated.

As early as 2015, at the height of the wave of refugees, he had received threats in letters home.

To a certain extent, local politicians would have to endure that.

After the recent threats against him became public, he received a lot of encouragement.

Some people would have put their statements into perspective again by accusing politicians of polarizing society.

"I will continue to be accessible to the population and take to the streets," said Engelhardt, who likes to attend events in the district and talk to people.

He understands when not all people approve of all Corona measures.

He even admits that he personally did not like everything that was ordered by the state government.

Different opinions are important, but should be exchanged in factual discussions and not end in tirades and threats, according to the district administrator.