German man fined for criticizing judge's lenient sentence in rape case

A German man, identified as Paul S., was fined €5,000 for insulting a judge who gave a light sentence to a Syrian man convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl. The fine was nearly double the amount the rapist was ordered to pay his victim. The judge issued a suspended sentence to the Syrian, who received no prison time and was praised for his integration efforts. Paul S. criticized the judge in an email, leading to his prosecution for defamation. After appealing, Paul S.'s fine was reduced to a third of the original amount. This case highlights ongoing tensions in Germany regarding free speech and the treatment of critics of government officials.