Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke is now on trial because he is said to have used a banned SA slogan. The public prosecutor's office accuses him of using the symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.
Just a few days ago, he defended his choice of words. If convicted, the penalty ranges from a fine to a prison sentence of up to three years. The presumption of innocence applies until a possible conviction. Four days of negotiations have been scheduled so far. The trial against the 52-year-old is now beginning. He is the Thuringian AfD's top candidate for the state elections on September 1st. His state association is classified and monitored by the state Office for the Protection of the Constitution as definitely right-wing extremist. The starting point for the accusation is a speech that he gave in May 2021 in Merseburg, in Saxony-Anhalt (Saalekreis). He is also accused of having used the slogan again last December at an AfD event in Gera. Björn Höcke wants to become Prime Minister of Thuringia. He is considered to have no chance because none of the parties previously represented in the state parliament want to form a coalition with the AfD. It is currently completely unclear whether a conviction will even occur. Theoretically, under certain conditions, the court could actually decide that Höcke temporarily loses his right to vote and also to stand for election. However, the prerequisite is that he is sentenced to a prison sentence of at least six months. The trial will take place in the security wing of the justice center in Halle. In order to ensure that the main hearing runs smoothly, the court ordered, among other things, entrance controls. The “Association of those persecuted by the Nazi regime - Association of Antifascists” has called for demonstrations. The court ordered, among other things, entrance controls, to ensure the main hearing runs smoothly. In Halle, he now has to appear in court for the first time.