German far-right AfD leader to be tried for Nazi slogan

A leading member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is due to stand trial on Thursday for allegedly using a banned Nazi slogan.

The president of the AfD in the state of Thuringia, Björn Höcke, goes on trial in the city of Halle on charges that he used a banned slogan of the Storm Troopers (SA), the Nazi paramilitary combat organization, in two speeches. He is accused of using symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.

Before the trial began, the former history teacher explained that he did not know what the slogan was about.

In the upcoming state elections on September 1, the 52-year-old wants to be the main candidate in the central state of Thuringia for the AfD, which is classified as right-wing extremist in the state and is being monitored by domestic authorities. intelligence service, officially known as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

Specifically, this is the SA slogan “Everything for Germany!” Höcke is said to have used it once in the city of Merseburg in Saxony-Anhalt, and during a second speech in the city of Gera in Thuringia he encouraged his audience with gestures to complete the first part of the slogan he spoke with the word “Germany”.

According to a court spokeswoman, the penalty ranges from a fine to a three-year prison sentence.

The presumption of innocence applies until a possible conviction, he stressed.

Demonstrations are also expected in Halle at the start of the trial.