A key figure from Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is facing trial for allegedly using a prohibited Nazi slogan.
Bjorn Hocke, the 52-year-old leader of the anti-immigrant AfD in Thuringia, is accused of referencing the phrase “Alles fur Deutschland” (“Everything for Germany”) – a slogan associated with the Nazis’ SA stormtroopers.
The trial commenced in Halle, just ahead of crucial state elections where Hocke aims for victory.
The AfD, currently ranked second in national polls behind the opposition conservatives, is facing increased scrutiny over discussions involving the deportation of individuals with non-German backgrounds.
Hocke allegedly concluded a speech in Merseburg with the words “Everything for Germany” before the 2021 federal elections, a phrase deemed illegal in Germany due to its Nazi connotations.
He is charged with using symbols of unconstitutional groups, including the Nazi party, which carries penalties of fines or imprisonment up to three years.
During a meeting in Thuringia, Hocke reportedly urged the audience to chant “Germany” after shouting “Everything for…”
Prosecutors claim he was fully aware of the slogan’s historical context.
In a recent debate, Hocke denied knowledge of the Nazi origins of “Everything for Germany,” stating it was a common expression.
Considered an “extremist” by German intelligence, Hocke previously criticized Berlin’s Holocaust memorial as a “shameful monument.”
Protesters gathered outside the court with signs condemning the AfD and labeling Hocke as a Nazi.
Germany’s legal system does not require formal pleas, allowing defendants to choose whether to respond to the charges.
Original from www.aljazeera.com