- Legal Basis
- § 187 StGB
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment of up to two years or a fine; up to five years if committed publicly
- Summary
- Asserting or disseminating an untrue fact about another person that is capable of degrading them, despite knowing the fact to be untrue
Slander (Section 187 German Criminal Code) – Criminal Defence Against Slander Charges
Slander (Slander) is the most serious form of offences against personal honour and requires that the offender asserts or disseminates an untrue fact knowing it to be untrue. Unlike defamation (Section 186 StGB), the offender must positively know that the asserted fact is false. For expats in Germany, the distinction between defamation and slander is crucial as it determines both the burden of proof and the severity of the penalty.
Statutory Text – Section 187 StGB
Whoever, knowing better, asserts or disseminates an untrue fact relating to another person that is capable of making them contemptible, degrading them in public opinion, or endangering their credit, shall be punished with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine, and if committed publicly, at a gathering, or by disseminating content, with imprisonment of up to five years or a fine.
Elements of the Offence in Detail
Untrue fact: Unlike defamation, the asserted fact must be objectively untrue. True facts cannot constitute slander, even if they are dishonourable.
Knowing better: The offender must know that the asserted fact is untrue. Mere doubts about the truth are insufficient – the offender must positively know the untruth. This element distinguishes slander from defamation.
Capacity to degrade or endanger credit: The untrue fact must be capable of making the affected person contemptible, degrading them in public opinion, or endangering their credit (economic creditworthiness).
Typical Methods of Commission
Slander is committed through deliberately making false allegations of criminal offences by others, spreading fabricated scandals or affairs, false accusations in professional contexts aimed at causing harm, creating fake reviews or profiles on the internet, and deliberately spreading misinformation on social media. Slander is frequently committed in connection with personal revenge or competitive situations.
Sentencing Range
Simple slander is punished with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine. For public commission, at a gathering, or by disseminating content, the range increases to up to five years of imprisonment or a fine. Slander is generally an offence prosecuted only on complaint. In addition to criminal sanctions, substantial civil law claims for damages and injunctive relief may arise.
Typical Defence Strategies
Defence against slander charges focuses on the central element of acting with knowledge of untruth. If it can be demonstrated that the accused believed the asserted fact to be true – even if it turns out to be untrue – slander is excluded. At most, defamation may then be considered. It is further examined whether the statement constitutes a factual assertion or a value judgment, whether the criminal complaint was filed in time, and whether justification grounds apply. Rechtsanwalt Bafteh develops an individual defence strategy for each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was unterscheidet Slander von übler Nachrede und Insult?
Die Slander (§ 187 StGB) setzt eine unwahre Tatsachenbehauptung voraus, die wider besseres Wissen, also in Kenntnis ihrer Unwahrheit, aufgestellt wird. Bei der üblen Nachrede (§ 186 StGB) genügt, dass die Tatsache nicht erweislich wahr ist. Die Insult (§ 185 StGB) erfasst dagegen Werturteile. Die Abgrenzung entscheidet oft über Strafbarkeit und Strafhöhe.
Worauf kommt es bei der Verteidigung gegen einen Slandersvorwurf an?
Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Beweisbarkeit der behaupteten Tatsache, die Abgrenzung von Tatsachenbehauptung und Werturteil sowie der Nachweis, dass der Beschuldigte die Unwahrheit kannte. Häufig lässt sich der Vorwurf bereits am subjektiven Tatbestand entkräften.
Ist für die Verfolgung ein Strafantrag nötig?
Insultsdelikte einschließlich der Slander werden grundsätzlich nur auf Strafantrag verfolgt (§ 194 StGB). Fehlt ein fristgerechter Strafantrag, kommt eine Einstellung in Betracht.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Slander? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Slander requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
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