Hamburg
A neo-Nazi went on trial in Hamburg this week for praising the 9/11 attacks on America. Horst Mahler, 66, a former leftist guerrilla and now the lawyer for the extreme-right National Democratic Party, told German television the week after 9/11 that the attacks were “cruel but justified.” For that remark, he stands accused of “condoning an illegal act” and could face three years in prison. But at his trial he was unrepentant, saying the U.S. was “the bloodiest and most imperialist power the world has ever seen” and that Jews were bent on “world domination.” German law does not protect freedom of speech absolutely; banned sentiments include support for Nazis and denying the Holocaust.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The best new music of 2024 by genreThe Week Recommends Outstanding albums, from pop to electro and classical
-
Nine best TV shows of 2024 to binge this ChristmasThe Week Recommends From Baby Reindeer and Slow Horses to Rivals and Shogun, here are the critics' favourites
-
Crossword: December 28, 2024The Week's daily crossword puzzle
