Extremism - Trial 5 years after riots: Criticism from victims' representatives
Ahead of another trial surrounding the massive riots and racist attacks in Chemnitz in 2018, victims' representatives have sharply criticized the Saxon justice system. It has repeatedly let down those affected by right-wing violence, explained Kati Lang, representative of the joint plaintiff, on Thursday. The Association of Counseling Centers for Victims of Right-Wing, Racist and Anti-Semitic Violence (VBRG) spoke of a "catastrophic legal process". This discourages those attacked and strengthens militant neo-Nazi networks.
On Monday - more than five years after the attack - a trial against seven defendants aged between 26 and 51 is due to begin at Chemnitz District Court. They are accused of attacking participants in a counter-demonstration after a so-called funeral march by AfD, Pegida and Pro Chemnitz on September 1, 2018. It is the first of a total of three proceedings relating to the riots on that day. According to the judiciary, a total of 29 participants have been identified. Eleven people were injured at the time.
"Closing ranks of the extreme right"
In Chemnitz in 2018, the far right joined forces. At the same time, it was the starting signal for a new generation of right-wing terrorists, emphasized Heike Kleffner from the VBRG. She drew a line to the later murder of Kassel district president Walter Lübcke. The majority of those now on trial are organized neo-Nazis, explained André Löscher, who has been advising victims of right-wing violence in Chemnitz for many years on behalf of the RAA Saxony association. They are trained in martial arts to intimidate, attack and injure political opponents.
On August 26, 2018, a German was stabbed to death in a dispute with asylum seekers on the fringes of the Chemnitz city festival. A Syrian was later convicted of manslaughter, another man involved is on the run. The crime triggered massive protests, with neo-Nazis and soccer hooligans demonstrating side by side with previously inconspicuous citizens. There were racist attacks and an attack on a Jewish restaurant; there was talk of hunts. A right-wing extremist terrorist group was also founded.
More than 240 investigations
According to earlier reports, the riots resulted in a total of more than 240 investigations. A total of 235 suspects were identified. They involved incitement to hatred, insult, resistance and assault on police officers, damage to property, bodily harm, violations of the Assembly Act and the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations.
Two other defendants were originally due to be tried on Monday. According to the court, the summons for one Bulgarian could not be served, so the proceedings were severed. The proceedings against another man were discontinued because "the expected sentence would not be significant in view of the sentence imposed in other proceedings", a court spokeswoman explained. There will be stricter admission controls at the trial. Eleven hearings are scheduled until the end of January.
One of the reasons given by the court for the fact that the trial is only taking place now is the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. Lawyer Lang admitted that the proceedings were very extensive. In her view, however, the whole thing should have been driven forward with more commitment, also in view of the nationwide implications. "The Chemnitz district court has so far not done a good job of investigating right-wing acts of violence," she stated. "This is extremely frustrating for those affected."
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- Despite the upcoming trial for the 2018 Chemnitz riots, Kati Lang, a victims' representative, criticized the Saxon justice system for its handling of right-wing violence cases.
- The Association of Counseling Centers for Victims of Right-Wing, Racist and Anti-Semitic Violence (VBRG) described the legal process as "catastrophic," claiming it discourages attack victims and strengthens neo-Nazi networks.
- On Monday, seven defendants, ranging from 26 to 51 years old, will face trial at Chemnitz District Court for attacking participants in a counter-demonstration during a Pegida, AfD, and Pro Chemnitz funeral march in 2018.
- The Saxony region witnessed an increase in right-wing extremism after the 2018 Chemnitz riots, with Heike Kleffner from VBRG linking it to subsequent events like the murder of Kassel district president Walter Lübcke.
- The riots resulted in over 240 investigations and the identification of 235 suspects involved in various offenses, including incitement, insult, assault, property damage, bodily harm, and violation of assembly and symbol laws.
- In addition to the main trial, two other defendants were expected to be tried but had proceedings severed or discontinued due to unserved summons and insignificant sentences in other proceedings.
- As the trial progresses in Saxony municipalities, lawyer Kati Lang and victims' representatives express concern over the slow pace of investigating and prosecuting right-wing acts of violence in Germany, emphasizing the importance of taking a more active stance against extremism.
Source: www.stern.de
