Because he is said to have spread inciting messages in a chat group and retrieved child pornographic content, a former SEK official had to answer before the Frankfurt district court on Friday.

The 43-year-old man had previously lodged an appeal against a penalty order that imposed 60 daily rates of 130 euros on him.

In the indictment, the prosecutor stated that the former police officer was active in the chat group "SEG 2 Chat" in 2016 and 2017 as one of a total of 14 participants.

In the course of this, the accused is said to have commented on a video with child pornography content published in the group with a laughing smiley.

The prosecutor also accused the defendant of sending a message and a picture to the group that allegedly implied sexual acts by Muslims on animals.

"Your colleagues have to hold their heads"

Before the hearing of evidence began, the prosecutor approached the accused and asked him to comment on the allegations.

Although the right to remain silent is fundamental, he considers it a "big mistake not to say anything", especially in view of the fairly clear evidence.

The expert commission of the Hessian Ministry of the Interior, which was founded to process all police chats discovered, is now in favor of an increased culture of mistakes and insight among the police.

Because the reputation of the entire police force has suffered significantly as a result of the scandal surrounding the sometimes inflammatory messages in the chat groups, it is particularly important to publicly admit mistakes, said the prosecutor, adding: "I also simply see your colleagues on the street who are responsible for something like that then have to put their heads down.”

After consulting with his defense attorney, the defendant admitted to having posted the inflammatory content.

He did not comment on the alleged comment on the child pornographic video.

The defendant explained that he was in a difficult situation at the time and apologized for the content of his chat messages.

In November 2021 he sought therapeutic help, and in retrospect his chat messages were "totally uncomfortable".

The defense attorney referred to proceedings against other SEK officials, which were based on more serious charges, but which have now been discontinued.

In view of this, there must be "internal justice" for his client.

The defense rejected the prosecutor's offer to apply for lower daily rates.

A new trial date has been set for early next year.