Defense Argues in "Knockout" Trial - Verdict Expected in July
In the trial for individuals alleged to be part of a violent, right-wing martial arts organization before the Thuringia Appellate Court, the defense for the four defendants requested lenient sentences from the court, which a court representative in Jena confirmed upon inquiry. On Monday, the main defendant, aged 26, had his defense argue for a total sentence of three years in prison.
The defense's appealed sentences for the other defendants varied from acquittal, fines, and deferred prison sentences. Last week, the prosecution sought a 7-year sentence for the main defendant and multiple-year prison sentences for the co-defendants. The verdicts are set to be announced on July 1st.
The violent, right-wing martial arts group "Knockout 51," with origins in Eisenach and labeled as extremist in the 2021 Thuringian Constitution Protection Report, is under suspicion by the Federal Prosecutor General of plotting to murder their political adversaries using knives, axes, and machetes.
The four men, aged between 21 and 26, stand accused of a wide range of charges. Their alleged crimes include membership in a criminal organization, disturbing the peace, and multiple counts of bodily harm offenses. Two of the accused are additionally charged with violating the Firearms Act.
The trial for these men has been ongoing since August 2023.
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- The Office of the Attorney General labeled the martial arts group "Knockout 51" as extremist due to their alleged violent activities in Thuringia, as stated in the 2021 Thuringian Constitution Protection Report.
- Despite being charged with various crimes, including membership in a criminal organization and bodily harm offenses, the defense requested lenient sentences for the four defendants in the trial at the Higher Regional Court in Jena.
- The prosecution argued for a 7-year prison sentence for the main defendant in the "Knockout" trial, associating the group with plans to murder political adversaries using weapons like knives, axes, and machetes.
- The membership of the four defendants in the violent, right-wing martial arts organization and their alleged involvement in disturbing the peace and multiple counts of bodily harm offenses is the focus of the trial that began in August 2023.
- The verdicts in the trial, involving defendants aged between 21 and 26, will be announced on July 1st, and the expected sentences range from acquittal to multiple-year prison sentences, based on the defense and prosecution appeals.
