Court dismisses appeals from Höcke's legal team
Björn Hocke, currently facing an ongoing appeal, finds himself in hot water once again over a controversial Nazi slogan. The Thuringia's AfD leader is accused, as per the indictment, of encouraging an AfD gathering in Gera, Thuringia on December 12, 2023, to complete the forbidden slogan. Despite his ongoing claims of innocence, Hocke is back in court.
The second trial for Hocke at the Halle District Court is moving slowly, with his lawyers filing several motions challenging the court's competence and complaining about the alleged media bias against their client. The court has rejected multiple requests for interruptions. Undeterred, Hocke maintains his innocence.
According to the indictment, Hocke allegedly shouted the slogan "Alles für Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) at an AfD Stammtisch (regular meeting) in a Thuringian forest inn. This slogan, originating from the SA, the paramilitary combat organization of the Nazi Party, is banned. Hocke is said to have spoken the first two words and gestured to the audience to complete the slogan. A video of this was presented in court.
Hocke refutes in court that he intended to rally the crowd with his gesture. He claims he was taken aback when the slogan was completed by the audience. "I am innocent in this matter. I feel it's unfair," says the 52-year-old. He also doubts the criminality of the slogan, considering it as "everyday words."
Approximately 350 participants were present at the event, as stated in the indictment. The prosecution accuses Hocke of utilizing symbols associated with unconstitutional and terrorist organizations. The trial in Halle is scheduled for a further date on Wednesday. If found guilty, Hocke faces a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years.
Hocke plans to run as the AfD's top candidate in the Thuringian state elections on September 1, 2023. His party is classified as reliably extremist right-wing by the Thuringian Constitutional Protection Authority. Hocke is the state and faction leader of his party in Thuringia and the AfD's top candidate for the Thuringian state elections on September 1, 2023.
The AfD has been leading in the polls for months. Hocke aims to bring the party into government and become Minister-President, but no other party is willing to work with the AfD.
Hocke was previously fined in May for the Nazi slogan. The Halle District Court imposed a fine of 100 installments of €130 each on him. The judgment is not yet legally binding due to Hocke's appeal. If the already-imposed fine becomes legally binding, it would have no impact on Hocke's eligibility or his right to vote.
Another trial is possible for Hocke, as the Landgericht Mühlhausen in Thuringia has admitted an indictment against him for incitement to hatred, relating to a post on Telegram from 2022 about a violent incident in Ludwigshafen and the alleged behavior of many immigrants. Trial dates have not been set yet.
During the first trial, the courtroom was fully occupied, with additional seats for journalists in an annex. The second trial in Halle received less interest, with several seats remaining empty. At the beginning, photographers and camera crews were asked to leave the room due to Hocke's wish not to be photographed. Later, they were allowed to take pictures.
