7-2-2004
German Court Slaps Naked Jogger with Fine
Reuters

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German sex therapist who enjoys jogging naked through the Black Forest lost a legal challenge against a 600-euro ($750) fine for his hobby on Friday.

The regional court of appeal in Karlsruhe upheld a lower court conviction for public indecency against Dr. Peter Niehenke, a 55-year-old psychologist who police have repeatedly arrested near his Freiburg home for jogging in the nude.

Niehenke, who wears only running shoes and socks, has argued in court there are no laws specifically banning his hobby -- but to no avail.

"The court does not support the defendant's view that running naked in public is one of his civil rights," the court said in its ruling.

But it did note that public opinion on nudity was changing, and that naked sunbathing was no longer considered a violation of public order.

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