Bild: Criminal complaint against Sommaruga is "journalistic action"
The criminal complaint filed by the German newspaper *Bild* against Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga is a «journalistic initiative.» «We want to shine a spotlight on the important debate about tax fraud,» said deputy editor-in-chief Nikolaus Blome.
As a result, the newspaper and its managers expect a closer look at the issue of tax fraud, "which is to be eliminated by agreement", as Blome explained in an interview with the SDA news agency on Wednesday. It is also about Germany's credibility: "How much tax evasion can a state allow that demands a lot from the lower classes by law and severely punishes misconduct in the social sector?" Blome formulated the central question. Laws must also be observed and enforced at the upper end in order to remain credible. At the same time, Bild also wants to hold up a mirror to Switzerland with the criminal complaint. An arrest warrant against German tax investigators who were merely doing their job is "ludicrous". Those responsible at Bild are aware that, formally speaking, Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga is not the right person to contact. "We have taken her as a representative of the Swiss judiciary," said Blome.
The criminal complaint was filed by the reporter responsible for Switzerland, as in Germany only individuals can file a criminal complaint. Although Blome does not dare to predict the outcome of the criminal complaint - "I don't want to speculate here" - it will allow a legal assessment of the issue in Germany. And a follow-up story in the Bild newspaper. (SDA)
