Zur Rechtsstellung von Forschenden im Strafprozess

In a decision in September 2023, the German Federal Constitutional Court did not accept for decision a constitutional complaint lodged by a psychologist against a search and seizure of research data. He had conducted a study on Islamist radicalisation in the penal system, which included interviews with prisoners. The public prosecutor's office seized the recordings of these interviews. The Federal Constitutional Court emphasises the importance of academic freedom in this context and highlights specific aspects of the fundamental right. The decision is discussed and analysed here.