The initial investigation was carried out under Germany's defamation law and a little-used statute against insulting foreign heads of state, prompting a heated debate about the limits of free speech in Germany.
Sākotnējā izmeklēšana tika sākta, pamatojoties uz Vācijas sodu likuma 103.pantu, kas paredz sankcijas par citu valstu galvu apvainošanu.