A member of the far-right Alternative for Germany party is facing a second trial for allegedly using a Nazi slogan in a speech. The individual, who was fined for the same offense previously, is set to appear in court next month.
The state court in Halle has scheduled the proceedings against the party member for June 24 and 26. The charge pertains to the use of symbols of an unconstitutional organization, which can result in a fine or up to three years in prison.
In a previous trial on May 14, the court convicted the individual and imposed a fine of 13,000 euros. The initial case revolved around a speech given in May 2021, where the individual used the phrase “Everything for Germany!” Prosecutors successfully argued that the individual was aware of the phrase's Nazi origins, as it was a slogan of the Nazis’ SA stormtroopers.
The accused, a former history teacher, maintains his innocence and claims that the phrase was merely an “everyday saying.” His legal team is appealing the verdict.
A second charge was added to the initial trial, alleging that the individual repeated the offense at an AfD event in December. Prosecutors claim that the individual knowingly used the slogan, encouraging the audience to chant “Germany!”
The AfD party has garnered significant support, particularly in the eastern part of Germany. However, recent scandals involving the party's lead candidate for the upcoming European Parliament election have caused turmoil within the organization.
