Bodo Schiffmann arrested: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania imposes an entry ban

Authorities show their teeth against pandemic and crown deniers: The luxury bus of “side thinkers” Bodo Schiffmann and Samuel Eckert was denied entry to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Monday. The COO became a hero on Twitter.

Police stopped the luxury bus belonging to crown deniers Samuel Eckert and Bodo Schiffmann on Monday night because they had entered Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania without permission. Around 100,000 people watched on various live broadcasts as the group tried to force the journey forward with ever new arguments. The police eventually checked the bus driver and discovered some driving and rest time violations. But other parties involved are also threatened with proceedings.

The group has been on tour in Germany with short breaks since late September – up to three stops a day with rallies. The speakers raise their spirits in the face of precautionary measures to contain the coronavirus, whose existence has already been questioned. Schiffmann also drew attention with made-up stories about deceased children, Eckert sees the work of the devil in masks and rejects them without a certificate for reasons of conscience. Due to violations of hygiene regulations, there are regular conflicts with the authorities on the tour. Investigations are under way against Schiffmann for violating Assembly Law.

On Monday night, the rebel group wanted to be in Neubrandenburg at 7 pm The police stopped the bus beforehand. According to the Neubrandenburg police station, the group had been informed in advance by phone at 6:05 pm that Schiffmann, Eckert and other travelers were not allowed to enter Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The reason: there is an entry ban for people who do not live there. The Mecklenburg Lake District had also banned the rally itself.

He left despite the ban

However, the Corona activists headed towards Neubrandenburg. Police stopped the bus 12 miles behind the border. Even now, the group didn’t even think to turn around. Operations manager Torsten Rusch, head of the Neubrandenburg police station, announced that the police would also use coercive measures if the bus did not leave the country within a quarter of an hour despite the entry ban. However, he literally spoke of “using force”. Five participants from the group wanted to press criminal charges against him for duress, a possibility to delay the trip.

Up to 80,000 viewers on a live broadcast were encouraged to file a complaint. At the same time, there were hundreds of tweets on Twitter with the hashtag #EhrenRusch, showing respect to the policeman. Almost all the commentators were on the side of the police.

In consultation with attorneys, Schiffmann and Eckert immediately constructed new reasons for enforcing their will: Schiffmann wanted to state that he was “systemically relevant” as a doctor and that he wanted to make house calls possible. The otolaryngologist runs a dizziness practice in Sinsheim, Baden-Württemberg. In addition, the group stated that they were now in the country for “commercial purposes”: they wanted to record a song about what was happening in a recording studio. The policeman did not accept these reasons.

The group stayed longer than allowed

The recording of the announcement and a spontaneous demonstration now registered in the village further delayed the decision. Finally, the driving time was almost exceeded. Therefore, the group was allowed to go to a nearby car dealership. According to the police, Schiffmann and Eckert also took advantage of this and illegally stayed there longer than specified.

Police said: “At present, an administrative infraction proceeding against the bus driver, the persons involved in the bus and the person who is accommodating them is being examined.” Schiffmann was not impressed: he initially announced that he would like to travel to planned stations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.