Process - Verdict against right-wing extremist Liebich expected by early August
In the ongoing appeals proceedings against the right-wing extremist Sven Liebich at the Halle District Court, a judgment is expected to fall around the beginning of August. After several additional hearings have been scheduled, the judgment is currently scheduled for August 2nd, a court spokeswoman announced in response to an inquiry. The prosecution accuses Liebich of incitement to hatred and defamation, among other things.
Liebich faces the prospect of his first prison sentence without parole. The defendant himself had delayed the appeals hearing by announcing that he would need approximately 13 hours for his "final statement." The court usually announces the judgment after the defendant's final statement.
Public Prosecutor seeks harsher sentence
The Magistrates Court Halle had already sentenced Liebich to a prison term of one year and six months without parole in July 2023. The public prosecution and defense had lodged appeals.
The public prosecution considered the judgment of the Magistrates Court too lenient. In its pleading before the District Court, the public prosecution now demanded a prison term of two years. The judgment was originally scheduled to be announced on June 28th.
Since 2014, Liebich has regularly organized demonstrations, often on the market square in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt. There have been clashes with counter-demonstrators on several occasions. Courts have dealt with accusations against Liebich on multiple occasions.
Prison sentence also on the table in Leipzig
The Land Court in Leipzig was also to decide on a possible prison sentence without parole for Liebich in a separate appeals proceeding. However, the hearings have been cancelled, and there are currently no new ones, a court spokesman told the German Press Agency in response to an inquiry.
This could also be related to the proceedings in Halle, the spokesman added. Since Liebich might be acquitted in Halle, the appeal could be dropped.
In a proceeding before the Magistrates Court Leipzig, Liebich was sentenced to seven months in prison without parole, along with three other people, for aggravated bodily harm. The co-defendants - two men and a woman - received suspended sentences between six and ten months, in part inclusive of other penalties. The defense had demanded acquittals.
Liebich and the other accused had lodged appeals against the judgment. Liebich is accused of attacking a photographer during a Corona demonstration in November 2020. The presumption of innocence applies until the legally binding conviction.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office in Halle is arguing for a harsher sentence in the appeals proceedings against Sven Liebich, believing the initial judgment was too lenient.
- Liebich's appeal hearing was delayed due to his intention to make a lengthy final statement, which usually occurs after the defense's pleas.
- In July 2023, Liebich was initially sentenced to one year and six months in prison without parole by the Magistrates Court in Halle, prompting appeals from both the prosecution and defense.
- The District Court in Leipzig also has an ongoing appeals proceeding concerning a potential prison sentence for Liebich, with hearings currently postponed due to the ongoing Halle proceedings.
- Liebich and three other individuals were sentenced to prison terms in Leipzig for aggravated bodily harm, with Liebich receiving a sentence of seven months without parole in a separate Magistrates Court proceeding.
- In a separate case, Liebich is facing penalties related to attacking a photographer during a Corona demonstration in Leipzig, as the legal process for his acquittal or conviction continues.
