Displaying hate and agitation online

A report can be submitted online, in writing, by telephone or verbally.

If you wish to submit the advertisement online:

There are several steps involved in filing a report online.

You can file a criminal complaint via the Internet portal. This can involve various offenses.

You call up the Internet Watch via a central URL. The federal state responsible for processing is selected via the location of the incident. After selecting the form for reporting hate speech online, you can enter basic personal details (e.g. personal details, cell phone number, email address). You can then enter data on the crime scene, the time of the crime, the perpetrator and the event itself. The recording is accompanied by legal instructions (witness or accused person instructions as well as the requirement to file a criminal complaint and the notice of discontinuation).

It is possible to submit documents such as proof of purchase, receipts and/or images such as screenshots, images of damage or stolen items with the report.

Once the report has been submitted, you will receive an e-mail with a case number and the contact details of the office responsible for processing the report.

The relevant police department will receive the report and check it. If you report a crime that was committed outside Germany or in another federal state, the prosecuting authority will forward the report to the competent authority.

Only if there are no grounds for investigation will the investigation be closed by the public prosecutor's office. The chances of success vary depending on the type of offense. Basically, the more information you provide, the better the chances of the police finding the perpetrator.

Anyone who knowingly and falsely suspects a person is committing a criminal offense. The law provides for a fine or a prison sentence of up to five years.

Every police station is responsible. If you would like to file a report online, please use the online service.

Anyone who has knowledge of a criminal offense can file a complaint. You do not have to meet any specific requirements.

Evidence (proof of purchase, receipts or pictures), if applicable

None

There is no deadline to comply with. However, you should observe the respective limitation periods, as criminal offenses usually expire after a certain period of time.

The deadline for filing a criminal complaint should also be observed if an application offence has been committed.

After receipt of the online notification, you will receive an email confirmation with a process number. The processing time depends on various factors. It is not possible to set a time limit.

§ Section 158 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO) - Criminal complaint, criminal complaint

• https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stpo/__158.html

Not applicable

If you file a complaint, you are basically a witness in the criminal proceedings. It may be necessary to summon you to the relevant police station as part of the further processing of your complaint, for example in order to be able to interview you personally as a witness.

Anyone who is aware of a criminal offense but does not report it may be liable to prosecution. No special formal requirements apply. Caution is advised when it is a suspected criminal offense. Defamation and false accusations are punishable by law, and the person who makes the report must expect legal action to be taken against them. Crimes such as murder, robbery, war crimes and treason must be reported.

A criminal complaint cannot be withdrawn. You should therefore consider carefully whether you want to press charges. According to the principle of legality, the authorities are then obliged to investigate.

23.03.2023