The start of the process for false vaccination and mask exemptions caused a stir. Now the accused doctor should not be offered another stage. There could still be further negotiations.

Stralsund (dpa / mv) – In the proceedings against a doctor for incorrect vaccination and mask exemptions, the public prosecutor’s office relies on a penalty order instead of further negotiations. This was agreed with the Stralsund district court, said a spokesman for the Stralsund public prosecutor on Tuesday. The aim is a prison sentence of one year on probation.

According to earlier information, the public prosecutor’s office accuses the 75-year-old of “issuing incorrect health certificates” in 32 cases. The doctor from the Vorpommern-Rügen district is said to have issued patients, without seeing them, certificates of intolerance to measles vaccinations and exemptions from the mask requirement in connection with the corona pandemic, including patients from other federal states.

Another hearing was originally scheduled for Tuesday. This and other appointments had been canceled by the court. Around 160 supporters of the accused doctor demonstrated in front of the court two weeks ago. According to the public prosecutor’s office, it is also about not offering the accused a platform. If the defendant objects, however, the hearing will still take place.

A penalty order is a conviction without a trial. The aim is to punish simpler crimes quickly and easily.

The spokesman said it was no longer possible to issue a professional ban via a penal order. According to the spokesman, if the order were to be accepted, this would also mean that a provisional occupational ban that had been imposed would be lifted. However, he pointed out that the doctor no longer had any health insurance approval and could only treat private patients. In addition, technical supervisory authorities could withdraw its approval at any time.

A professional ban in criminal proceedings presupposes, among other things, that serious unlawful acts are to be expected in the future. On the one hand, a doctor could commit even more serious breaches of the law than in the present case. On the other hand, it is quite conceivable that the doctor will not commit any criminal offenses in the future. One clue is that the alleged acts occurred during the corona pandemic and thus in a kind of special situation. One of the decisive factors for the decision is that it is the first criminal case for the person concerned. In addition, a suspended sentence should not be underestimated, the spokesman emphasized. There is a criminal record and, despite everything, there is a risk of imprisonment if the conditions of probation are violated.

According to a court spokesman, no charges had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon. As soon as this is the case, it will be examined by the court. Should it actually be issued, the accused would have two weeks after receipt to lodge an objection. Even for the fastest scenario, the spokesman expects the process to be completed in a few weeks.