Professor Thomas Weigend

11:15, Wed 28 May 2008

IAS Seminar 2 20/2/2008 How terrorism has invaded German law The threat of terrorism hit Germany in two waves, the first in the 1970s and 1980s, the second in the general context of 11 Sept., 2001. Both waves have led to extensive legislation in substantive and procedural criminal law. The 1970s saw the introduction of the new criminal offence of being a member of a terrorist organisation as well as ad hoc legislation cutting back on the rights of the defence. More recently, the powers of the State to use secret methods of surveillance in investigating crime have been extended with terrorism suspects being the main target. Additional measures are in the planning and drafting stages. The (perceived and real) threat of terorrism has thus significantly changed the climate of criminal justice in Germany.

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