“That is what the criminalization of this saying is all about,” Wagner explained. The Weimar Republic also failed because it did not put a stop to agitation and violence, especially from the right. That shouldn’t happen to the Federal Republic. This is one of the reasons why criminal law in Germany reacts so sensitively to this. Another reason is that people who use symbols and slogans of the National Socialists would confess to their violent acts and could call for similar acts.
Demo in front of the courthouse in Halle
There were protests in front of the courthouse in Halle on Thursday morning. According to police information, a total of 570 participants took part in a demonstration.
The trial against Höcke began with a delay, according to MDR information, due to the large number of trial observers and media representatives. The hearing was initially interrupted after it began. The reason was, among other things, that Höcke’s defense wanted to have a continuous audio recording of the trial. The court rejected the request for audio recording. Judge Jan Stengel said that the rejection would not jeopardize a fair trial against Höcke.
Because of the special importance of the case, the Naumburg Higher Regional Court decided to have the trial take place at the Halle Regional Court and not, as originally planned, at the Merseburg District Court. According to the court, a verdict could be announced in mid-May.