26 alleged neo-Nazis on trial in Germany

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

August 21, 2012 10:02 AM PrintText
26 alleged neo-Nazis on trial in Germany

BERLIN — Twenty-six alleged neo-Nazis are on trial in Germany on accusations they were responsible for a spate of attacks on leftists in western Germany.

Prosecutors say the men, aged 19 to 54, kept files on left-wing activists including addresses, license plate numbers and photographs. Starting in 2009 until their arrest in March, they are accused of attacks that included attempting to set fire to cars, throwing stones through windows and street fights.

They're also accused of spray-painting neo-Nazi graffiti, damaging 40 election campaign signs, and putting stickers reading "Rudolf Hess Street" in tribute to Hitler's deputy over street signs.

Charges in the trial that opened in Koblenz state court Tuesday include membership in a criminal organization, arson and robbery with potential penalties ranging up to 15 years in prison.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501714_162-57497157/26-alleged-neo-nazis-on-trial-in-germany/

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(Short article, no more at link.)

[onehandle]

1. There they put them on trial. Here we elect them to Congress. nt

[steve2470]

2. article from Spiegel in English here:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-prosecutors-to-broaden-charges-against-neo-nazi-beate-zschaepe-a-850993.html

[pampango]

3. The neo-Nazis took a break from killing Turkish immigrants to go after leftists. The society

they envision is distasteful to say the least.

Prosecutors investigating German neo-Nazi Beate Zschäpe, arrested last November for alleged membership of a terror cell that killed nine mostly Turkish immigrants and a policewoman, may extend their charges against her to include abetment to murder, SPIEGEL has learned.

Zschäpe sent macabre propaganda DVDs to news agencies and Muslim institutions in which the NSU (National Socialist Underground) claimed responsibility for the series of killings of Turkish shopkeepers that had baffled police for over a decade.

...police for years dismissed the possibility that there might be a far-right motive behind the assassination-style shootings of the eight Turkish immigrants and one Greek man in cities across Germany.

Can the justice system meet such expectations? It must shed light on a monstrous, unprecedented series of political crimes and show that after years of failure, it can bring the perpetrators to justice. If the trial fails to deliver, there will be grave consequences for German society. For people's sense of justice. For the integration of immigrants. And for faith in the security services.

[ellisonz]

4. "membership in a criminal organization"

[nanabugg]

5. Can the US send their goons over there? At least they may be incarcerated with their bros.