The founder of one of Germany's best-known groups of coronavirus sceptics, who led protests against the government's pandemic-era restrictions, went on trial Wednesday accused of fraud and tax evasion.
Michael Ballweg, 49, the founder of the movement Querdenken-711 (Lateral thinkers-711) is accused by prosecutors of diverting donations to fund his lifestyle.
Ballweg is said to have leveraged his popularity to raise 1.2 million euros ($1.3 million) but used only 844,000 euros to finance the group's activities.
The protest organiser smiled as he entered the courtroom in Stuttgart, wearing a shirt which read "Freedom comes from courage".
Ballweg's group was central to Germany's nationwide Querdenken movement, which organised protests against anti-Covid measures.
Their rallies attracted thousands of people opposed to lockdowns and mask-wearing obligations, sometimes resulting in clashes with police.
The movement drew together activists from both the far-right and far-left of the political spectrum, as well as conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers.
Ballweg is charged with some 9,450 counts of fraud and attempted and successful tax evasion.
He was arrested in June 2022 and initially charged with money laundering in addition to the other accusations.
Trial dates have been set until mid-April next year.
© Agence France-Presse
