Heilbronn – A 70-year-old Heilbronn resident is under investigation by criminal police following a Facebook post referencing Chancellor Friedrich Merz (70, CDU). The man referred to Merz as “Pinocchio” and included an emoji of a long nose, according to the “Heilbronner Stimme.” The complaint was not filed by Merz himself, but by the Social-Media Team of the Heilbronn Police Headquarters.
The incident occurred after Chancellor Merz and Baden-Württemberg’s Minister President Winfried Kretschmann (77, Grüne) attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Heilbronn in October. The police headquarters had informed the public about security measures on Facebook, including a temporary no-fly zone.
“Pinocchio Comes to Heilbronn”
The Heilbronn resident posted “Pinocchio comes to HN” (HN being an abbreviation for Heilbronn) under the police’s Facebook post. Several months later, he received a letter from the criminal police indicating an investigation into possible insult, according to Paragraph 188 of the German Criminal Code.
The resident expressed his surprise to the “Heilbronner Stimme,” stating that the situation was “a joke and completely disproportionate,” and that friends and acquaintances found the accusation unbelievable.
A spokesperson for the police headquarters explained that they review comments and file complaints when potentially criminal content is identified. It remains to be seen whether the public prosecutor’s office will agree with the police assessment and pursue charges against the resident; that decision is currently under review.
The resident is not the first to make the comparison. Green Party leader Franziska Brantner (46) previously warned of a “Pinocchio Chancellor,” and AfD politician Stephan Brandner (59) shared a photo montage of Merz with an elongated nose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the police investigation?
A Facebook post by a Heilbronn resident referring to Chancellor Friedrich Merz as “Pinocchio” with a long-nose emoji prompted the investigation, based on suspicion of violating Paragraph 188 of the German Criminal Code.
Who filed the complaint?
The complaint was filed by the Social-Media Team of the Heilbronn Police Headquarters, not by Chancellor Merz directly.
What is Paragraph 188 of the German Criminal Code?
Paragraph 188 of the German Criminal Code addresses the crime of insulting a person in a position of public authority.
How might this case influence public discourse and the expression of political opinions online?
