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.
