Defense appeals after new conviction of AfD politician Höcke
The chairman of the AfD-State Association in Thuringia, labeled as proven right-wing extremist by the Thuringian Constitution Protection, said the forbidden Nazi SA slogan "Alles für Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) or encouraged his audience to complete it at a party event in Gera in December.
This was the second conviction for Hocke within a few weeks. In a similar case, the Landgericht Halle sentenced the 52-year-old to a fine of 13,000 Euro in May because he had used the SA-slogan "Alles für Deutschland" at an AfD election campaign event in Merseburg.
Both judgments are not yet legally binding. The Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) is now dealing with the case. Hocke's lawyers demanded acquittal in both trials. The AfD politician himself, who is the Landes- and fraction leader of his party in Thuringia and leads it as the top candidate in the Landtag election on September 1, repeatedly declared himself innocent.
- The AFP reported that Björn Höcke, the AfD politician in Thuringia, was labeled as a proven right-wing extremist by the Thuringian Constitution Protection.
- Höcke, the chairman of the AfD-State Association in Thuringia, encouraged his audience to complete the forbidden Nazi SA slogan "Alles für Deutschland" at a party event in Gera.
- This conviction for Höcke in Halle on the Saale adds to his previous conviction in May for using the same Nazi SA slogan at an AfD election campaign event in Merseburg.
- The Defense for Höcke, the AfD politician, demanded acquittal in both trials, stating his innocence despite the convictions.
- The Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) is currently reviewing the cases, as the judgments are not yet legally binding.
- The conviction of Höcke, the AfD politician, raises questions about revision of the party's stance and adherence to the Protection of the constitution in Germany's political landscape.
