German Far-Right Leader Goes on Trial for Nazi Slogans

Björn Höcke, a prominent German far-right leader, appeared in court on Thursday, accused of using prohibited Nazi slogans during political gatherings. The employment of National Socialist slogans and symbols is a criminal offense in Germany, which, due to its historical context, has a stricter stance on free speech than democracies like the United States. Höcke leads the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the state of Thuringia, and both he and the state branch he leads have been classified as right-wing extremist and are under surveillance by domestic intelligence.

 He is being tried for using the slogan "Everything for Germany" in a speech in Saxony-Anhalt, which was the motto of the National Socialist paramilitary group, or Storm Troopers, and was engraved on their knives. Höcke has claimed that he was unaware of the phrase's Nazi connotations, but critics argue that this is unlikely, given his background as a history teacher. The trial is taking place in Halle.Read more