Dispute between AfD and Office for the Protection of the Constitution before OVG in February
In February, the Münster Higher Administrative Court is dealing with the dispute between the AfD and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution regarding the classification of the party as a so-called suspected case. The federal association of the AfD is defending itself against a ruling from the court of first instance. The proceedings are pending in NRW because the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has its headquarters in Cologne.
Three cases are being heard. In what is probably the most important case, the AfD, represented by its federal executive board, wants to have the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution prohibited from classifying it as a suspected case. Such a classification allows the Office for the Protection of the Constitution to monitor communications and use other intelligence services under certain conditions.
In the previous instance, the Cologne Administrative Court ruled in favor of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in March 2022. The judges found that there were sufficient factual indications of anti-constitutional aspirations of the AfD directed against the free democratic basic order. The party appealed against this decision.
The AfD is also taking legal action in the second instance against the classification of the "wing" as a suspected case and a "secured extremist endeavor". The Junge Alternative, the AfD's junior organization, also no longer wants to be classified as a suspected case.
As the court announced on Tuesday, the hearing dates in the appeal proceedings are scheduled for February 27 and 28, 2024. The judges then intend to announce a decision.
The Secret Services are closely monitoring the proceedings between the AfD and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, as the outcome could significantly impact the surveillance processes they employ against parties deemed as 'suspected cases'. Despite the Secret Services' stance, the AfD, including its federal executive board and junior organization, the Junge Alternative, are vehemently challenging their classification in court.
Source: www.dpa.com
