The Federal Ministry of Justice, under Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD), is preparing legislation to significantly increase penalties for individuals involved in acts of terrorism and foreign espionage. According to a draft proposal reported by “Bild” the forthcoming legal changes aim to align German law with European Union directives and strengthen the government’s ability to address evolving security threats.
A key element of the proposed legislation focuses on proactively deterring terrorist activities. Individuals entering Germany with the explicit intention of committing a terrorist act, or preparing for such an act-even using vehicles or “dangerous tools” like knives-will face more stringent prosecution. The draft also broadens the scope of preventative measures, allowing authorities to penalize the preparation of criminal acts more consistently.
Furthermore, the proposed law expands the government’s powers related to foreign intelligence activities. It will enable the surveillance of the residences of foreign spies operating within Germany, including online searches. The legislation also seeks to criminalize the actions of foreign agents who engage in the surveillance of individuals residing in Germany.
Minister Hubig has stated that the goal of these changes is to “develop criminal law and adapt it to new threat situations” empowering law enforcement agencies to intervene earlier and address the preparation of both terrorist and hybrid warfare activities. The ultimate objective, she emphasized, is to enhance overall security.
