At the request of Prof. Reinhard Hüttl, the Board of Trustees of the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ decided yesterday, Thursday, 22 October, to relieve him from his position as Scientific Director of the GFZ until further notice. Professor Hüttl is faced with accusations concerning compliance for handling financial resources, based on an anonymous whistleblower.

Until the allegations have been clarified, he will suspend his office as Scientific Director of the GFZ. He is personally interested in a quick and unreserved clarification and is very much affected by the accusations. The Board of Trustees has taken note of this statement with respect. On the part of the Board of Trustees there is a great interest in clarification and transparency. The GFZ will inform the public prosecutor's office about the events.

The Administrative Board of the GFZ, Dr. Stefan Schwartze, announced: "I welcome Professor Hüttl's decision and support the fact that the public prosecutor's office will examine all the accusations. I have full confidence in the investigating authorities. It is important to me as Administrative Director as well as to the entire GFZ that all allegations are fully investigated. Our integrity must not be called into question. We are now waiting for the results of the investigations. As long as the accusations against Professor Hüttl are not clarified, we will not comment further.

At the meeting of the Board of Trustees on November 13, 2020, the Supervisory Board will appoint a provisional Scientific Director.