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Hamburg, October 1 – Proceedings have commenced at the Hamburg-Bergedorf District Court against an alleged neo-Nazi and three co-defendants. The accused are facing charges related to various offenses committed in eastern Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, including violence and displaying unconstitutional symbols.
Alleged Neo-Nazi and “Last Wave of Defense” Affiliation
The 17-year-old primary defendant, identified as an alleged neo-Nazi, is accused of disseminating unconstitutional slogans within a WhatsApp group associated with the “Last Wave of Defense” (“Letzte Verteidigungswelle”), a known right-wing extremist terror group. This group has been under scrutiny, with the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court having previously sentenced seven of its members and one supporter to prison terms in August for crimes including attempted murder. In September, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Jena also indicted two alleged supporters of the group.
Proceedings Closed to the Public
The defendants in the Hamburg-Bergedorf case range in age from 16 to 20. The trial is being conducted before a juvenile court with lay judges. Following the reading of the indictment, the public was excluded from further proceedings due to the defendants’ ages.
Multiple Acts of Violence and Extremism
The 17-year-old and two 16-year-old co-defendants are alleged to have robbed an individual believed to be a pedophile in Geesthacht late last year. During this incident, the 17-year-old reportedly kicked the victim and struck him with a telescopic baton. In January, the 17-year-old is accused of displaying the Hitler salute and shouting extremist slogans at the Hamburg-Mümmelmannsberg bus station. In February, he allegedly racially abused a person at a bus stop in the Lohbrügge district. Furthermore, in March, the main defendant is accused of injuring a 19-year-old at a youth residential facility in Hamburg-Billstedt, reportedly kicking him with steel-toed boots. The 20-year-old co-defendant is alleged to have filmed this incident.
Verdict Expected by Mid-November
It remains unknown whether the defendants will comment on the allegations, as the court is not permitted to disclose details from the non-public part of the hearing. Five further hearing dates have been scheduled until mid-November.
This trial is part of ongoing efforts to address right-wing extremism and related violence in Germany. Previous cases involving members of the “Last Wave of Defense” have highlighted the severity of the threat posed by such groups. In August, several alleged neo-Nazis were convicted in Hamburg for planning attacks on refugees and political dissidents, with some receiving sentences of up to five years in prison.
The current proceedings underscore the persistent challenge of combating extremist ideologies and their violent manifestations, particularly among younger individuals. Authorities continue to monitor and prosecute those involved in such activities to ensure public safety and uphold constitutional values.
Source: https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/hamburg/gewalt-erpressung-und-hitlergruss-jugendliche-in-hamburg-vor-gericht,prozess-1030.html
