Public prosecutor demands suspended sentence for AfD politician Höcke for NS slogan

Public prosecutor demands suspended sentence for AfD politician Höcke for NS slogan

The public prosecutor also demanded that the chairman of the AfD state association in Thuringia, marked as reliably right-wing extremist by the Thuringian Constitutional Protection, be prohibited from holding public offices for a period of two years. In addition, Hocke should pay 10,000 Euro to a charitable organization, such as the Buchenwald Memorial.

Bjoern Hocke admitted to using insignia of former Nazi organizations, Bernzen said. The defense is expected to plead on Monday, and a verdict is expected.

Hocke is accused of using a banned Nazi party slogan (SA) of the National Socialist Storm Detachment (SA) at a party event in Gera in December, or of having encouraged the audience to complete the phrase "Alles für Deutschland."

In case of conviction, Hocke faces a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years. In a similar case, the Landgericht Halle sentenced the 52-year-old to a fine of 13,000 Euro in May because he used the SA slogan "Alles für Deutschland" at an AfD election campaign event in Merseburg. The judgment is not yet legally binding.

Hocke himself denied any legal relevance of his statements and repeatedly described them as banalities. He considered the proceedings against him a "farce" and considers himself "completely innocent."

1. The Regional court in Thuringia will consider the case against Björn Höcke, the AfD politician deemed reliably right-wing extremist by the Thuringian Constitutional Protection, due to his use of a banned NS slogan at a party event.
2. If convicted, Höcke may face a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years, as per the provisions of the Protection of the constitution in Germany.
3. Formerly, Benedikt Bernzen pointed out that Höcke had admitted to using insignia of former Nazi organizations.
4. The Buchenwald Concentration Camp Memorial could potentially benefit from a 10,000 Euro fine imposed on Höcke, should he be found guilty by the Regional court.
5. In a similar case, Höcke was fined 13,000 Euro by the Landgericht Halle in May for using the same Nazi party slogan.
6. The public prosecutor's office in Thuringia has requested a prohibition on Höcke holding public offices for a period of two years, in addition to the sentence.

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