Four young, alleged neo-Nazis aged between 17 and 24 have been charged by the State Prosecutor of Lueneburg, north Germany, with public incitement. The five allegedly used the symbols of organizations deemed hostile to the state and damaged property.
A statement by the Justice Ministry of Lower Saxony said the four were members of a U.S.-directed group known as the National Socialist Workers Party of Germany (NSDAP-OA). The OA stands for auslandsorganization or foreign organization. From April to November last year they “spread Nazi and anti-Semitic thinking” by means of slogans painted on walls, posters and leaflets, the charges said. The group’s propaganda literature contained slogans like “Kauft Nicht Bei Juden” (don’t buy from Jews) and “Rotfront Verrecke” (death to the Red Front) and were inscribed with swastikas.
Meanwhile, a Frankfurt court has dropped similar proceedings against Gerhard Lauck, head of the NSDAP-AO, for allegedly spreading Nazi propaganda. Charges against Lauck were made last October by a left-wing anti-Fascist group, “Bund Der Antifascisten,” after it came across NSDAP-AO stickers with swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
The Frankfurt State Prosecutor said there was “insufficient evidence” to press the charges against Lauck and that a legal six-month limit on the hearing of cases in matters concerning offensive publications had since lapsed.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
