Attacks by right-wing mobs
After the “hunts” – trial in Chemnitz begins
December 10, 2023, 7:57 p.m
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In September, protests escalated in Chemnitz after the death of a person. Right-wing extremists show solidarity with previously inconspicuous citizens. Several people are injured in attacks. Chancellor Merkel speaks of hunts in the Saxon city. After years of investigation, seven defendants are now on trial.
More than five years after the attack, a trial against seven defendants aged 26 to 51 will begin tomorrow, Monday, in the Chemnitz regional court. They are accused of attacking participants in a counter-demonstration after a so-called funeral march by AfD, Pegida and Pro Chemnitz on September 1, 2018. It is the first of three proceedings relating to the riots at that time. According to the judiciary, a total of 29 people have been identified. At that time, eleven people were injured.
On August 26, 2018, a German man was stabbed to death in a dispute with asylum seekers on the sidelines of a city festival in the Saxon city. A Syrian was later convicted of manslaughter and another person involved is on the run. The act sparked massive protests, with neo-Nazis and football hooligans demonstrating alongside previously inconspicuous citizens. There were racist attacks and an attack on a Jewish restaurant. A right-wing extremist terrorist group was also founded.
The government spokesman at the time, Steffen Seibert, spoke of hunts, and later Chancellor Angela Merkel did too. Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution Hans-Georg Maaßen had doubted this several times. Among other statements, this led to his dismissal by Interior Minister Horst Seehofer at the beginning of November 2018.
Co-plaintiff: starting signal for a new generation of right-wing terrorists
With a view to the upcoming proceedings, victim representatives have sharply criticized the Saxon justice system. She has repeatedly abandoned those affected by right-wing violence, explained co-plaintiff Kati Lang. The Association of Advice Centers for Those Affected by Right-Wing, Racist and Anti-Semitic Violence (VBRG) spoke of a “catastrophic legal investigation”. This discourages those attacked and strengthens militant neo-Nazi networks.
In Chemnitz in 2018 there was a solidarity between the extreme right. At the same time, it was the starting signal for a new generation of right-wing terrorists, emphasized Heike Kleffner from the VBRG. Those now in court are largely organized neo-Nazis, explained André Löscher, who has been advising those affected by right-wing violence for the RAA Sachsen association in Chemnitz for many years. They are trained in martial arts to intimidate, attack and injure political opponents.
240 investigations – 235 suspects
According to previous information, the riots resulted in a total of more than 240 investigations. 235 suspects were identified. It was about incitement to hatred, insults, resistance and attacks on police officers, damage to property, bodily harm, violations of the assembly law and the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations.
Originally, two other defendants were also to be tried: According to the court, the summons could not be served on a Bulgarian, so the proceedings were separated. In the case of another man, the proceedings were discontinued because “the expected punishment would not be of considerable importance in view of the punishment imposed in another case,” explained a court spokeswoman. There are stricter entry controls during the process. Eleven dates are planned until the end of January.
The court justified the fact that the proceedings are only taking place now, among other things, due to restrictions caused by the corona pandemic. Attorney Lang admitted that it was a very extensive procedure. From their point of view, the whole thing should have been pushed forward more actively with a view to the nationwide scope. “The Chemnitz regional court has not yet written any praise for the investigation of right-wing acts of violence,” she stated. “This is extremely frustrating for those affected.”