Process - Judgment against right-wing extremist Liebich expected in early August
In the ongoing appeals proceedings against right-wing extremist Sven Liebich at the Halle District Court, a judgment is expected to be handed down around the beginning of August. After several additional hearings have been scheduled, the judgment is currently scheduled for August 2nd, according to a spokesperson for the Halle District Court upon request. The prosecution accuses Liebich of incitement to hatred and defamation.
Liebich faces the prospect of his first prison sentence without parole. The defendant had delayed the appeals hearing himself by announcing that he would need approximately 13 hours for his "final statement." The court usually announces the judgment after the final statement of the defendant.
The Magistrates' Court Halle had sentenced Liebich to a prison term of one year and six months without parole in July 2023. Both the prosecution and defense had lodged an appeal.
The prosecution considered the judgment of the Magistrates' Court too lenient. In their plea before the Landgericht, the prosecution demanded a prison sentence of two years. The judgment was originally scheduled to be announced on June 28th.
Since 2014, Liebich has regularly organized demonstrations, often on the marketplace in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt. There have been disputes with counter-demonstrators on several occasions. Courts have dealt with accusations against Liebich on multiple occasions.
- The expected judgment against right-wing extremist Sven Liebich, currently scheduled for August 2nd at the Halle District Court, will be a significant milestone in the process of Saxony-Anhalt's Justice System.
- The Prosecutor's Office, unsatisfied with the Magistrates' Court's judgment in July 2023, appealed to the higher District Court, initiating the Appell procedure.
- If convicted by the District Court, Liebich may face an extended prison sentence beyond his original sentence of one year and six months, as demanded by the Prosecutor's Office.
- Should Liebich's Freedom punishment be upheld during the appeals process, it will set a precedent for future cases involving right-wing extremism in Germany.
- Post-announcement of the District Court's judgment, Liebich may choose to undergo another level of appeal, the Federal Court of Justice, known as the "Bundesgerichtshof."
