(1) An insult may only be prosecuted upon request. If the act was committed through dissemination of written materials (section 11(3)) or making them publicly accessible in a meeting or through a presentation by broadcast a request is not required if the victim was persecuted as a member of a group under the National Socialist or another authoritarian regime, if this group is a part of the population and the insult is connected to this persecution. The offence may not be prosecuted ex officio if the victim objects. The objection may not be withdrawn. If the victim dies the right to file a request and the right to object shall pass to the relatives indicated in section 77(2).
(2) If the memory of a deceased person has been defamed the relatives indicated in section 77(2) are entitled to file a request. If the act was committed through dissemination of written materials (section 11(3)) or making them publicly accessible in a meeting or through a presentation by broadcast a request is not required if the deceased lost his life under the National Socialist or another authoritarian regime and the insult is connected to this persecution. The offence may not be prosecuted ex officio if the person entitled to file the request objects. The objection may not be withdrawn.
(3) If the insult was committed against a public official, a person entrusted with special public service functions or a soldier of the Armed Forces while in the execution of his duties or in relation to his duties, it may be prosecuted upon the request of his superior. If the offence is directed against a public authority or other agency that performs duties of public administration it may be prosecuted upon the request of the head of the public authority or the head of the supervisory authority. This applies mutatis mutandis to public officials and public authorities of churches and other religious associations under public law.
(4) If the offence is directed against a legislative body of the Federation or a state or another political body within the Federal Republic of Germany it may be prosecuted only upon the authorisation of that body.