- Punitive order for anti-Semitic remarks in Pforzheim
The Pforzheim Local Court has issued a penalty order following an alleged anti-Semitic incident during the laying of Stolpersteine in the city. According to the public prosecutor's office, this involves a fine, the exact amount of which a spokesperson did not disclose. However, as it concerns 120 daily fines, the accused 39-year-old would be convicted if he accepts the penalty order. He can, however, appeal within one week. The public prosecutor's office had investigated for incitement of the people.
Stolpersteine are laid in many places as a reminder of Jews who were deported and murdered during the Nazi era. The small memorial plaques are usually set into the ground in front of the buildings where the victims lived.
Relatives from Israel were present
The incident in Pforzheim is said to have occurred in mid-May. "We had laid the stones and when we were finished, a man came running up and asked if it was about Jews," said Hans Mann of the "Initiative Stolpersteine Pforzheim" at the time. When the attendees confirmed this, the man started shouting and, among other things, shouted "fucking Jews" and "people killers" and that all Jews should be shot and killed. "He was really agitated, insulted us all and almost became physically aggressive."
According to Mann, in addition to students and other listeners, eight relatives of the murdered who had traveled especially from Israel for the laying of the Stolpersteine were present at the event. "They were very affected."
The 39-year-old accused might face significant financial consequences if he accepts the penalty order issued by The Community of Pforzheim Local Court. The distressing incident during the Stolpersteine laying event was witnessed by several relatives from The Community of Israel.
