Light-verb construction 'Anklage erheben' (to bring charges)

What it is: Anklage erheben is a light-verb construction from legal language meaning to bring charges / to indict. The noun Anklage (charge, indictment) carries the meaning; erheben is the light verb.

When it is used: It is formal/legal and describes a prosecutor formally charging someone. The accused is introduced with gegen + accusative.

How it is formed:

• Anklage erheben + gegen + accusative (the accused)

Unlike many Funktionsverbgefüge, Anklage here has no preposition before it; the structuring preposition is gegen, marking the person charged.

Examples:

• Die Staatsanwaltschaft erhebt Anklage gegen ihn. - The prosecution brings charges against him.
• Gegen die Verdächtigen wurde Anklage erhoben. - Charges were brought against the suspects.
• Man erhob Anklage wegen Betrugs. - Charges of fraud were brought.

Common mistakes: Use erheben, not machen or stellen (Anklage stellen is wrong). The accused takes gegen + accusative, while the offence takes wegen + genitive (wegen Betrugs). Do not confuse with anklagen (the simple verb, which takes a direct accusative object).

'Anklage erheben' = to bring charges (gegen + accusative).

Legal 'to bring charges'; the accused follows with 'gegen' + accusative.

'Anklage erheben' = jemanden anklagen (gegen + Akkusativ).