Penalty order against Left Party lawmaker Akbulut following train incident – €51,600 fine

Initially, the lawmaker accused the fan group of having shouted xenophobic slogans, but she later corrected herself and spoke of "AfD, AfD" chants. The shout "Fick dich ins Knie" had also been heard.

The police investigation draws in part on video footage that Akbulut had recorded herself with her phone. According to the footage, she called the football fans "Faschos von Stuttgart," "Drecksnazis" and "Missgeburten." These remarks have now led, alongside the charge of attempted dangerous bodily harm, to the additional charge of insult.

Evidence relies on her own video recordings

As the "Stuttgarter Zeitung" reports, a penalty order of 100 daily rates has also been issued against one of the men from the IC. This means the justice system is dealing with both sides of the altercation. Akbulut's representatives declined to comment on the police report at the time.

The "Mannheimer Morgen" was first to report on the case. The Deutschlandfunk program picked up the matter again on July 3, 2026. Akbulut, who represents the Mannheim constituency in the Bundestag, now has the option of filing an objection to the penalty order within the statutory deadline.

Reactions and possible next steps

In such cases, the law provides for a decision "im schriftlichen Verfahren durch Beschluss," according to judicial circles. This would conclude the matter without an oral main hearing, provided no party objects.

The affair is weighing on the Left Party politician during an already tense phase for her party. The events on the train made headlines nationwide because they made visible the intersection between political symbolism, social media and criminal-law follow-up.

Observers see the proceedings as a litmus test for how the judiciary handles mutual insults in politically charged situations. Should Akbulut file an objection, a court will have to substantively address the incident.

Political and legal assessment

The public prosecutor's office and the defense initially did not respond to inquiries. Akbulut herself has not yet publicly commented on the penalty order. A statement from the Left Party's Bundestag faction was also not initially available.

The case illustrates that even serious personal allegations – here, one of a racist and sexist assault – must withstand thorough judicial scrutiny. The politician's own video recordings played a central evidentiary role.