Current:Home > MyA German court will try a far-right politician next month over a second alleged use of a Nazi slogan -Wealth Nexus Pro
A German court will try a far-right politician next month over a second alleged use of a Nazi slogan
View
Date:2025-04-13 21:52:52
BERLIN (AP) — A prominent member of the far-right Alternative for Germany party who was fined for knowingly using a Nazi slogan in a speech will go on trial again next month for allegedly using the slogan a second time, a court said Wednesday.
The state court in Halle scheduled the proceedings for June 24 and 26 against Björn Höcke, who plans to run for the governor’s job in the eastern state of Thuringia in a state election in September. The charge of using symbols of an unconstitutional organization can carry a fine or up to three years in prison.
On May 14, the same court convicted Höcke of that charge and imposed a fine of 13,000 euros ($14,100). The first case centered on a speech in Merseburg in May 2021 in which Höcke used the phrase “Everything for Germany!”
Judges agreed with prosecutors’ argument that he was aware of its origin as a slogan of the Nazis’ SA stormtroopers. Höcke, a former history teacher, has said that he’s innocent and argued that it was an “everyday saying.” His lawyers are appealing against the verdict.
The second count against Höcke was added to his first trial shortly before it opened, but judges then decided to try it separately because his defense team had recently changed.
Prosecutors have alleged that he repeated the offense at an Alternative for Germany, or AfD, event in Gera last December, “in certain knowledge” that using the slogan is a criminal offense.
They say that Höcke said “Everything for ...” and encouraged the audience to shout “Germany!”
AfD has built a strong core of support, particularly in the formerly communist east. But it has had a turbulent few weeks, partly a result of scandals surrounding its lead candidate for next month’s European Parliament election.
veryGood! (4481)
Related
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- California governor signs bills to protect children from AI deepfake nudes
- Appeals stretch 4 decades for a prisoner convicted on little police evidence
- Opinion: Florida celebrating Ole Miss loss to Kentucky? It brings Lane Kiffin closer to replacing Billy Napier
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Horoscopes Today, September 28, 2024
- Budget-Strapped Wyoming Towns Race for Federal Funds To Fix Aging Water, Sewer Systems
- Ryan Williams vs Jeremiah Smith: Does Alabama or Ohio State have nation's best freshman WR?
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Awareness of ‘Latinx’ increases among US Latinos, and ‘Latine’ emerges as an alternative
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- SNL Introduces Its 2024 Presidential Election Cast Playing Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and More
- Milo Ventimiglia's Wife Jarah Mariano Is Pregnant With First Baby
- Over 90,000 Georgia residents sheltering a day after chemical plant fire sends chlorine into the air
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Awareness of ‘Latinx’ increases among US Latinos, and ‘Latine’ emerges as an alternative
- Angelina Jolie and 3 of Her Kids Make Rare Red Carpet Appearance at New York Film Festival
- Horoscopes Today, September 28, 2024
Recommendation
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Multiple people dead after plane crash at Wright Brothers National Memorial’s First Flight Airport
Missing a beat, streaming service Spotify is back after a temporary outage
Opinion: Treating athletes' mental health just like physical health can save lives
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Kentucky pulls off upset at No. 5 Mississippi with help from gambles by Mark Stoops
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick upset with controversial unnecessary roughness penalty in loss
Kris Kristofferson mourned by country music icons Dolly Parton, more: 'What a great loss'