German judge to face trial for alleged sexual coercion of trainee colleague
The First Grand Criminal Chamber of Fulda Regional Court has admitted the indictment filed by the Gießen Public Prosecutor's Office against a 56-year-old judge from the Kassel judicial district. The defendant is accused of four counts of sexual harassment—three of which are alleged to have been committed in conjunction with coercion—as well as an additional separate count of sexual coercion. The court has opened main proceedings in the case.
The accused is alleged to have repeatedly touched a trainee judge in a sexually determined manner between September 2023 and February 2025, thereby harassing her, while simultaneously coercing her through threats to tolerate or refrain from reporting the behavior. He is further accused of committing a sexual act against the trainee judge, allegedly forcing her to submit through the threat of serious harm.
The trial will commence on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 9:30 AM in Courtroom I of Fulda Regional Court.
The following additional hearing dates have been scheduled: - Friday, June 12, 2026 - Monday, June 15, 2026 - Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - Thursday, June 18, 2026 - Monday, June 22, 2026 - Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - Thursday, June 25, 2026 All sessions will begin at 9:30 AM.
Up to 15 seats will be reserved for media representatives at each hearing, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival at the courthouse.
