There were many heroes involved in last week’s exciting and joyous acquittal of eminent microbiologist Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi of charges of antisemitism—Sucharit’s family and supporters, tireless reporters, unbiased lawyers, medical experts, honest judges, and yes, behind the scenes, numerous researchers, writers, translators and prayer warriors. One of the most important is Dr. Martin Schwab, professor of law at Bielefeld University and our celebrated Hero of the Week!
Martin Schwab has been Sucharit’s lawyer ever since Dr. Bhakdi was first charged. Flanked by fellow lawyers Tobias Weissenborn and Sven Lausen, Dr. Schwab was the lead defense attorney at last week’s trial at the regional court of Plön, Germany. His work and consistency—not only for this case but during more than three years of “pandemic restrictions” and legal questions—have contributed immensely to this resounding victory of justice and the voice of truth.
Dr. Schwab’s flawless presentation in defense of Sucharit Bhakdi, both in front of the court and also in the media, was impeccable in terms of its clarity, factuality, and anchoring in the law; Sucharit himself describes Prof. Schwab as having an “encyclopedic memory.” Within the first hour of the trial, it became clear that the prosecution had no case.
In an interview with journalist Taylor Hudak, Dr. Schwab gave his general assessment of the prosecutor’s case: “The prosecutor is as well Commissioner for Combating Anti-Semitism. She hoped to set a sign that Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Germany. Her mistake was that she looked for Anti-Semitism at a place where it cannot be found at all. Sucharit Bhakdi is a stranger to Anti-Semitism. Everyone who talks to him will see that within seconds of time. If she had watched the whole video footage before issuing the indictment, she would have seen herself that she had chosen the wrong target.”
Attorney Schwab was clearly in command of the arguments. He stood firm in his defense of Sucharit. He spoke with authority and respect for the process and all parties involved.
He expressed his respect for the judge and the legal system in Germany, understanding the pressure the judge was put under by the media: “The judge was badly put under pressure by the mainstream media reporting before the hearing, and he deserves credit for not being impressed by this. If you read the mainstream media reporting after the hearing, you will quickly realize that similar pressure will be exerted on the judges who will have to deal with the case next.”
We have watched a huge victory and a seismic event in the legal efforts toward freedom, and we owe it in large part to Prof. Dr. Martin Schwab!
Related:
Not Guilty! The Trial of Dr. Sucharit Bhakdi
Professor Martin Schwab at Faculty of Law, Bielefeld University
The Trial of Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi
