AfD politician in court - Court rejects numerous motions in the trial against Höcke
In the trial against Thuringia AfD chief Bjoern Hoecke for using a banned Nazi-slogan, the Landgericht Halle rejected all evidence presented by the defense. The defense had requested to hear expert witnesses and other witnesses, as well as literature and videos. The prosecutor's motions were granted by the court. The case is about Hoecke's X-Account regarding the number of followers and the number of calls to the video of the event where Hoecke is alleged to have given the approval. It is possible that a verdict will be announced today.
Hoecke must answer to the court for allegedly giving the banned Nazi-slogan "Alles fur Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) at a party event of his party in Gera, Thuringia, in the past December. According to the prosecutor, Hoecke spoke the first two words and encouraged the audience to complete the phrase through gestures. This phrase was previously used by the Sturmabteilung (SA), the paramilitary combat organization of the Nazi-party NSDAP. Hoecke denies all accusations and sees himself as innocent.
For the 52-year-old, this is the second trial at the Landgericht Halle. On May 14, he was sentenced to a fine of 13,000 Euros in total for the same Nazi-slogan at a campaign event in Sachsen-Anhalt, Merseburg. The decision is legally binding, but Hoecke filed a revision. The accusation in both cases is the same: Use of symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.
- Despite Björn Höcke's argument in the current trial at the Regional Court in Halle, the court rejected his defense's request to present expert witnesses, witnesses, literature, and videos related to the case in Thuringia.
- The Saxony-Anhalt Public Prosecutor's Office is closely monitoring the processes against Björn Höcke, given his previous conviction for using a Nazi-slogan at a campaign event in Merseburg, Saxony-Anhalt.
- In response to the allegations of extremism, Höcke's use of the banned Nazi-slogan "Alles für Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) in literature or any form of media could potentially lead to additional charges against him.
- As the court proceedings continue in Halle, the impact of Höcke's actions on the AfD party in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt could prove to be a significant turning point in the party's future, given the public outcry against such rhetoric.
- If found guilty, Björn Höcke may face significant consequences, as Germany is committed to upholding its democratic values and taking a firm stance against any form of extremism or Nazi ideology in public life.
