The interview that journalist Linda Zervakis conducted with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) at last year’s re:publica has had a current impact. On February 27 of this year, the General Prosecutor’s Office in Berlin received a criminal complaint from Thorsten Schlesselmann. The marketing expert had written: “I hereby file a criminal complaint against Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor, on suspicion of bribery in office due to a monetary payment to the journalist Zervakis for an interview conducted with him, as well as all other criminal offenses that may be considered in this context.”
Affected freedom of the press?
Schlesselmann asked for very extensive investigations in all directions, since there was a concrete suspicion of a serious crime by an extremely high-ranking politician “who apparently wanted to use it to influence freedom of the press, a very valuable asset in Germany, to his political advantage”. So very high-ranking interests of Germany are affected here, which have already been very badly damaged.
Now the Attorney General Berlin has answered. In her letter it says: “I have sent your aforementioned submissions to the Berlin public prosecutor’s office with a request for further action. You will receive further information from there in due course.” With his criminal complaint, Thorsten Schlesselmann would allege the illegal payment of money to the journalist Zervakis, “which could be criminally relevant as breach of trust, so that the submission to the Berlin public prosecutor’s office has taken place”.
TV presenter Linda Zervakis rejected criticism of her public appearances for the federal government at the beginning of March and emphasized her journalistic independence. “As a freelance presenter, I was and am not only working for German TV stations,” said the former “Tagesschau” spokeswoman and current ProSieben presenter. “I also regularly moderate events.” Various companies, private individuals and institutions asked her to moderate events. “In the past, this also included federal authorities and ministries,” says Zervakis. “I have never let myself be taken over by any side and will continue on this path.”
At no time did I let myself be taken over by any side.
TV presenter Linda Zervakis
Linda Zervakis organized the events “Germany. Immigration country – the dialogue for shareholders and respect”, “German Integration Award 2018”, “German Integration Award 2019” and “German Integration Award 2020”. According to her management, she received a fee for moderating the events. At re:publica, she interviewed Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “Ms. Zervakis did not receive a fee for the interview with the Federal Chancellor on June 9, 2022 at re:publica,” emphasized the management. “Instead, a lump sum was paid. According to the Federal Press Office, a lump sum of EUR 1130.50 was agreed for the appearance at the re:publica. “This flat-rate fee should cover all costs incurred by the moderator and her team,” said a spokeswoman.
Thorsten Schlesselmann, 53, works as a marketing expert. The former CDU voter describes himself in a telephone conversation as a “disappointed non-voter”. But he was not a troublemaker, not a citizen of the Reich and not a conspiracy theorist, which he would condemn in the strongest possible terms. “I am a concerned, critical citizen who worries about the country and its people.” He filed his criminal complaint against the Federal Chancellor “because things happened that are morally and criminally wrong”. Further complaints have been filed against Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Justice Minister Frank Buschmann.
