In the first place it is my intention to discuss a series of legal questions that have at all times been acknowledged in the criminal law of all civilized nations. It is not by any means the task of the High Tribunal to apply any special article of law, but, from general legal and legal-philosophical principles, to lay down a rule finding and creating a new law to meet a new situation. It need hardly be said that first and foremost I am supporting my own client. But in your verdict, you, your Honors, are not judging only this defendant. Beyond this particular case your verdict has a far more extensive, general, nay, world-wide importance. For it is the first time that a tribunal of such importance is to decide upon the actions of a member of a resistance movement. Consequently, your judgment is a fundamental one and a signpost for our time for many, many other defendants and accused men in this connection who have stood before this Tribunal or will be brought before other courts. Your decision for all time extends to cover thousands and thousands of men who, at some time, may be put in the position of opposing some criminal system of government by similar means as Sievers did. On this our globe there are still autocracies and totalitarian dictatorships and it requires only little foresight to realize that other dictatorships may involve other international entanglements and wars of the most horrible nature. Furthermore, in the future, mankind will again and again be in sore need of courageous men who for the sake of their nation and for the welfare of mankind oppose themselves to such dangerous doings. It is for such champions and for such groups of champions that your verdict will be a criterion and a signpost. You are deciding in advance the future possibilities and the sphere of action of future resistance movements against criminal governments and their chiefs. You are offered the opportunity of checking such movements by your verdict. But you are also able to give them the safety necessary for their dangerous enterprise and the success of their proceedings. How and where would such helpers be found in future if, apart from the immediate peril, they have to reckon with the additional danger of being called to account by the very people for whom they risked their lives? And therefore, your Honors, with your verdict in the Sievers case you take upon you a responsibility before the whole world and for all time to come, a responsibility as is seldom placed upon a tribunal. But on the other hand you can also say with pride that with this judgment you render an immeasurable service to the world in its struggle for peace and justice. Therefore the reasons for your verdict in the Sievers case are so immensely important, far more important than the trifling Sievers case can be in the universal history of all times. I am forced to detail the particulars of these problems.