German court overturns acquittal in Lübeck airport vaccine case

The Higher Regional Court (OLG) has overturned the acquittal of doctor and entrepreneur Winfried Stöcker regarding a controversial COVID-19 vaccination campaign held at Lübeck Airport in 2021. The court has referred the case back to the Lübeck Regional Court for a new trial and decision.

Stöcker is accused of providing an unauthorized vaccine as a finished medicinal product to two doctors, who then administered it to individuals willing to be vaccinated. While the Regional Court had previously overturned a 2024 fine of 250,000 euros to acquit him, the Higher Regional Court identified several legal errors in that ruling.

The OLG noted that the previous judgment lacked sufficient findings on whether the vaccine constituted a ‘concerning medicinal product’ and suggested the court's presentation of facts appeared biased in favor of the defendant. Additionally, the OLG stated the lower court failed to properly assess whether Stöcker participated in bodily harm offenses by not sufficiently examining the validity of the consent provided by those vaccinated.