German politician to stand trial over alleged use of Nazi slogan

In Germany, it has been announced that Björn Höcke, one of the most prominent figures of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, will stand trial due to Nazi-affiliated words he allegedly used in a speech.

NAZI SLOGAN ALLEGATION

It is alleged that 51-year-old Höcke ended a speech in 2021 with the words "Everything for Germany!", a slogan used by the Nazis' SA stormtroopers.

In the trial scheduled to begin on April 18 at the Halle state court, Höcke will be accused of using symbols belonging to unconstitutional and terrorist organizations. Four hearings are planned to be held until May 14.

Höcke is the party's leader in the eastern state of Thuringia and an influential figure in the far-right wing of Alternative for Germany (AfD). He is also expected to lead the party's efforts in the state elections to be held on September 1.

Prosecutors claim that Höcke was aware that this phrase was an SA slogan. Höcke's lawyers, however, reject the claims that these words have any "connection to a crime."

TO FACE THE JUDGE

Höcke will also be tried in a separate case on charges of incitement due to a post he made on Telegram in 2022. The court in Muehlhausen has not yet set a date for the hearing.

The Thuringia branch of the AfD has a particularly radical reputation and is viewed by Germany's domestic intelligence agency as a "proven far-right" group.

Höcke had previously described the Holocaust memorial in Berlin as a "monument of shame" and called for a "180-degree turn" in how Germany remembers its past. At the time, a party tribunal had rejected a motion for his expulsion.

National polls conducted in recent months show that the AfD is in second place behind the mainstream conservative opposition, and that the party is particularly strong in the country's former communist eastern bloc.

News Source: 12punto