In the process of controversial arms transports of the German defense company Heckler & Koch to Mexico today two former employees were sentenced to probation sentences at the district court in the German Stuttgart, the enterprise to a fine of 3.7 million euro. Three other defendants – two former directors and one former sales manager – were acquitted.
The case raised the issue of how more than 4,500 assault rifles and submachine guns and accessories totaling some € 4.1 million could land in troubled regions in Mexico between 2006 and 2009, even though they should not have been delivered there.
„No tribunal over German armaments policy“
„This procedure is not a tribunal over German armaments policy“, made the judge clear. It was only about the permits. The public prosecutor had not seen any misconduct by the authorities involved. Arms opponents and defenders of armaments had called for a vigil in front of the courthouse, they also see responsibility at the participating export authorities.
The court found it proven that a former sales manager had participated in the gang-based export of weapons due to phased approvals. The clerk was guilty of the aid. Both sentences were suspended. The prosecutor’s office had originally demanded more than two years‘ imprisonment.
