Making threats

A threat is a statement of intention to use violence with the aim of instilling fear in the person being threatened. It is punishable under criminal law when it is deemed serious or very serious. Threats can be made in person or in writing, over the phone or online.

Good to know

  • Threats don’t always have to be explicit – displaying weapons or expressing violent fantasies can also constitute a threat.
  • This also applies to threatening an individual’s social or economic existence.
  • The threat of committing suicide can be used as a means to threaten others.
  • Serious threats are a criminal law offence (gefährliche Drohung).