Enemy of the state

The term enemy of the state means a state or its representative usually people who work against the existence and security of the State or the power relations, such as by treason, high treason, the expression "wrong" political views and the like.

To counteract such efforts, there is a state protection in many states.

Legal situation in Germany

In the Federal Republic of Germany as a state enemy who threatens the democratic state of law pursuant to § § 84-91 of the Criminal Code. These include such offenses as:

  • Organization offenses,
  • Preparation of acts of sabotage,
  • Störhandlungen of vital systems and equipment,
  • Decomposition of the Armed Forces and public security organs,
  • Denigration of the Federal President
  • Insulting the state and its symbols

The prosecution of these crimes, it is argued by the State and other supporters, the maintenance of the free democratic basic order shall apply.

Examples of the persecution of enemies of the state

In National Socialism lost designated as enemies of the state regime opponents all civil rights and were sentenced to imprisonment in concentration camps. Examples:

  • Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945) lost a " subversive painter " all memberships in arts organizations,
  • Konrad Adenauer was banished,
  • Willy Brandt was sought as a public enemy and was able to escape his arrest and the expected false imprisonment in a concentration camp by abroad - emigrated - to Norway.
  • The pastor Hermann Scheipers (* 1913) was first imprisoned as enemy of the state in the Third Reich in the Dachau concentration camp, escaped and was later - again because Hostile State baiting - accused in the GDR.

Use in popular culture

  • The Public Enemy No. 1, American film
  • Public Enemy No. 1, Music album of the German rapper Bushido
Enemy of the State (film) Staatsfeind Nr. 1
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