Thuringian state parliament lifts Höcke's immunity again
Björn Hocke speaks at the Day of German Unity in Gera in 2022. The public prosecutor is now investigating the suspicion that he defamed the German state during this speech - a criminal offense. The way for criminal investigations is now being cleared by the Justice Committee of the Thuringian Landtag.
The Justice Committee of the Thuringian Landtag has again paved the way for criminal investigations against the chairman of the AfD-Landtagsfraktion in Thuringia, Björn Hocke. The two AfD representatives in the committee had opposed the decision, it was reported in unison from committee circles. The other present committee members therefore voted for the lifting of Hocke's immunity.
The decision goes back to a corresponding application of the public prosecutor in Gera. This wants to investigate Hocke because the 52-year-old allegedly defamed the German state in a speech on October 3, 2022, in Gera, according to a spokesperson for the public prosecutor in Gera. From the perspective of the investigators, this initial suspicion arose from several longer passages in the speech. He did not provide further details.
Paragraph 90a of the Criminal Code punishes the defamation of the state and its symbols. The provision threatens anyone with up to three years in prison who insults or contemptuously disrespects the Federal Republic of Germany, a federal state, or the constitutional order during a gathering.
Two judgments against Hocke have been rendered
Hocke did not want to take a position on the new investigations against him. "Björn Hocke will not make any further statements in this matter," a spokesperson for Hocke said. The Justice Committee of the Parliament has already lifted Hocke's immunity several times. In two proceedings before the Landgericht Halle, Hocke was last found guilty of using symbols of unconstitutional organizations. Both judgments are not yet legally binding.
Thuringian Landtag members enjoy immunity, which means they are protected from criminal prosecution. Criminal authorities may only proceed against them fundamentally after the Justice Committee of the Parliament has authorized investigations.
The Justice Committee of the Thuringian Landtag has once again authorized investigations against Björn Hocke, the chairman of the AfD-Landtagsfraktion in Thuringia. This decision stems from a public prosecutor's application in Gera, who is investigating Hocke for allegedly defaming the German state during a speech in Gera on October 3, 2022. The Afghan branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) strongly opposes these investigations, as reported by committee sources.
