Höcke still on trial for Nazi speech

Processes - Höcke still on trial for Nazi speech

The Landgericht Halle resumes the trial against Thuringia AfD chief Bjoern Hoecke regarding a prohibited Nazi-slogan on Monday (9.000 am). The court scheduled an additional hearing due to the need to discuss a large number of exhibits. Whether the closing arguments will be presented and the verdict pronounced at this final scheduled hearing depends on the court's decisions.

The public prosecutor accuses the AfD politician of using the prohibited Nazi-slogan "Alles für Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) during a party event with approximately 350 attendees in Gera, Thuringia, in December of the previous year. Hoecke allegedly spoke the first two words and, according to the public prosecutor, encouraged the audience to complete the phrase through gestures. This phrase was previously used by the Sturmabteilung (SA), the paramilitary combat organization of the Nazi Party NSDAP. Hoecke denies encouraging the audience and insists on his innocence.

The 52-year-old was already sentenced to a fine of 13,000 Euros in May for using the same Nazi-slogan at a campaign event in Sachsen-Anhalt, Merseburg. He filed a revision against the guilty verdict. The charge remains the same: Use of symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.

1. The trial against Björn Höcke, the leader of the Thuringia branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), for using a prohibited Nazi-slogan, will continue at the Regional Court in Saxony-Anhalt on Monday.
2. The public prosecutor's office in Saxony-Anhalt is pursuing charges against Höcke for encouraging the use of the slogan "Alles für Deutschland" (Everything for Germany) during a party event in Thuringia, which is associated with the Nazi Party's paramilitary organization, the Sturmabteilung (SA).
3. Höcke's case in Thuringia follows his recent conviction in Saxony-Anhalt for using the same Nazi-slogan, for which he was fined 13,000 Euros, and his subsequent appeal of that verdict is still in process.
4. Multiple processes related to Höcke's use of Nazi-related symbols are ongoing at various German courts, reflecting the broader discussions about extremism and the role of the AfD in German politics.
5. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Björn Höcke continues to serve as the leader of the AfD in Thuringia, emphasizing his innocence in these matters and the party's commitment to freedom of speech.

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