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BGH Allows Convicted Bundeswehr Officer to Delay Early Release Over Health Insurance

Germany's top court ruled that his unresolved health insurance justifies postponing parole.

Overview

  • The former captain, identified as Thomas H., was sentenced in May 2024 to three and a half years for secret-service agent activity and breach of official secrecy.
  • Credit for time in pretrial detention made him eligible for release after serving two thirds of his term, but he asked to defer leaving custody to arrange coverage.
  • The Federal Court of Justice permitted a delay so he can secure suitable health insurance before filing a new application to suspend the remainder of his sentence.
  • Investigators said he sent official information from a Bundeswehr electronic-warfare unit to the Russian embassy in Berlin and the consulate in Bonn starting in May 2023.
  • In court he cited fear of nuclear escalation as his motive, and reporting noted he had followed a pro-Russian, AfD-linked influencer on social media.