Digital violenceJustice Minister wants to close gaps – after allegations surrounding Collien Fernandes

Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig wants to close gaps in criminal liability in the case of digital violence. “We want to ensure that perpetrators can no longer feel safe, but that they have to expect that they will be known and effectively prosecuted,” the SPD politician told the broadcasters RTL and ntv. “Spiegel” had previously reported on allegations made by actress Collien Fernandes against her ex-husband Christian Ulmen.

Even if the minister did not want to comment on individual cases, she emphasized: “I want to ensure that, for example, the production and distribution of pornographic deepfakes is made a criminal offense so that we have a clear legal situation.” Those affected are mainly women. With her draft law, she has already initiated three-month IP address storage, which will help in the future to act within the shortest possible time after attacks.

If there is a strong initial suspicion and the conditions are met, the police or public prosecutor could also search the accused person's computer, said Hubig. In principle, the following applies to the investigation of digital violence: the more investigators, the better. To this end, she offered the countries support amounting to almost half a billion euros with the “Pact for the Rule of Law”, which should also lead to more staff in the public prosecutor’s offices.

Fernandes had made serious allegations against Ulmen in “Spiegel” and on Instagram. According to the moderator, he is said to have created fake profiles under her name for ten years and sent fake nude photos and sex videos that supposedly showed Fernandes

The presumption of innocence applies to elms. Ulmen's lawyers responded to a request from RTL with an email that cannot be quoted. Questions about the allegations against the 50-year-old remained unanswered. The court in Mallorca confirmed to RTL that it had received a corresponding complaint. However, the investigation is “at a very early stage”. According to “Spiegel”, Ulmen left a list of questions about the allegations unanswered. The magazine conducted a background discussion with Ulmen's lawyers, and the lawyers made it a condition in advance that their statements could not be reported.

Sources used: ses/AFP