Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke is on trial in Halle. He is accused of using the banned slogan of the Sturmabteilung (SA), the paramilitary fighting organization of the NSDAP.
The charges relating to this incident have now been separated from the points relating to the speech in Merseburg. The former history teacher wants to run as the AfD's top candidate in the state elections in Thuringia on September 1st. The penalty is between a fine and a prison sentence of three years. The court only decided last Friday to add the points about Gera's speech to the indictment. The politician is said to have said the first part "Everything for" himself and used gestures to encourage the audience to shout "Germany" in Gera last December. Höcke defended his choice of words shortly before the trial began. The trial is expected to last until the end of the month in the Halle district court.