Police have launched investigations into at least two individuals responsible for heckling public broadcaster ARD’s live interview with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel.
Authorities have opened proceedings against a 64-year-old and a 39-year-old individual for allegedly violating Germany’s assembly laws by staging an unregistered protest during Sunday’s broadcast, conducted along the Spree river in the government district of Berlin.
Around 25 to 40 protesters affiliated with left-wing activist groups used whistles, horns, and a loudspeaker to drown out the interview.
ARD, caught off guard, acknowledged that parts of the conversation were incomprehensible and announced a review of its live broadcast security protocols.
The disruption drew widespread criticism. Markus Frohnmaier, the AfD’s deputy parliamentary group leader, demanded a re-run under “fair conditions”—though Weidel herself chose not to insist on a second attempt.
Critics also fault ARD for its failure to ensure suitable conditions for a political interview.
