German court slaps naked jogger with fine
 

(gg)


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

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 on Friday.

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