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East Germany Cracks Down on Neo-nazi Activities

April 29, 1988
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The East German authorities are cracking down on neo-Nazi activities, which they once claimed did not exist in the Democratic Republic.

The official news agency, ADN, reported Wednesday that nine neo-Nazis went on trial in the Oranienburg district court Monday, charged with spreading anti-Semitic propaganda and displaying Nazi symbols.

East German officials Thursday also confirmed Western reports that seven neo-Nazis received prison sentences in Dresden at the end of March for circulating anti-Semitic propaganda, assaults on individuals and destruction of property. The sentences ranged from eight months to four years.

The neo-Nazi problem was acknowledged for the first time in December 1987, when the authorities announced the trial of several neo-Nazi groups, including some extreme right-wing organizations.

Some of those prosecuted included the so called “skinheads,” gangs of teenagers and young adults who shave their heads, wear Nazi-like costumes and engage disorderly conduct, often of an anti-Semitic nature.

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