Björn Höcke is the Thuringian AfD's top candidate for the state elections on September 1st. He is accused of using a banned slogan of the Sturmabteilung (SA), the paramilitary fighting organization of the NSDAP.
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. The public prosecutor's office accuses him of using the symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations. The starting point for the accusation is a speech that he gave in May 2021 in Merseburg, in Saxony-Anhalt (Saalekreis). He is said to have said: "Everything for our homeland, everything for Saxony, Anhaut, everythingfor Germany." 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. 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, among other things, entrance controls have been put in place at the court. The "Association of those persecuted by the Nazi regime- Association of Antifascists' has called for demonstrations. The court has ordered entrance controls at the hearing to ensure it runs smoothly. The hearing is expected to last up to two days.