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German far-right Pegida founder Bachmann guilty of race charge | German far-right Pegida founder Bachmann guilty of race charge |
(35 minutes later) | |
The founder and leader of the German anti-Islam movement, Pegida, has been convicted of inciting racial hatred. | The founder and leader of the German anti-Islam movement, Pegida, has been convicted of inciting racial hatred. |
Lutz Bachmann escaped a prison sentence but was fined €9,600 (£7,600; $11,000) for calling refugees "scum". | |
Bachmann branded the case a political show trial. His lawyer said he had not written the remarks, but the court saw a video of him defending them. | Bachmann branded the case a political show trial. His lawyer said he had not written the remarks, but the court saw a video of him defending them. |
His lawyers said they would appeal. Prosecutors, who sought a seven-month jail sentence, are also appealing. | His lawyers said they would appeal. Prosecutors, who sought a seven-month jail sentence, are also appealing. |
Pegida organises regular demonstrations against Islam and asylum seekers. | Pegida organises regular demonstrations against Islam and asylum seekers. |
Who goes to Pegida rallies? | |
Pegida in 60 seconds | |
The rallies drew thousands of people a week at their inception in the eastern city of Dresden, and spread across German cities as a protest again Germany's open door policy for refugees, but they have drawn fewer people in recent months. | The rallies drew thousands of people a week at their inception in the eastern city of Dresden, and spread across German cities as a protest again Germany's open door policy for refugees, but they have drawn fewer people in recent months. |
The anti-immigration demonstrations have often been met by counter-protests. Rival groups of protesters gathered outside the court in Dresden before the hearing on Tuesday. | The anti-immigration demonstrations have often been met by counter-protests. Rival groups of protesters gathered outside the court in Dresden before the hearing on Tuesday. |
Lutz Bachmann, 43, was accused of inciting racial hatred in Facebook posts, in which he called refugees "cattle", "scumbags" and "filth". | Lutz Bachmann, 43, was accused of inciting racial hatred in Facebook posts, in which he called refugees "cattle", "scumbags" and "filth". |
His lawyer, Katja Reichel, reminded the court that it was possible to hack Facebook accounts. | His lawyer, Katja Reichel, reminded the court that it was possible to hack Facebook accounts. |
But the prosecution showed the court a video of Bachmann addressing a Pegida rally in February 2015. In his speech, he said his post used "a few words that any of us would use". | But the prosecution showed the court a video of Bachmann addressing a Pegida rally in February 2015. In his speech, he said his post used "a few words that any of us would use". |
The month before, he had apologised for what he called "ill-considered" remarks. | |
The judge, Hans Hlavka, told the court that it was "clear" that Bachmann was responsible for the comments. He said the insults could not be considered to be free speech. | The judge, Hans Hlavka, told the court that it was "clear" that Bachmann was responsible for the comments. He said the insults could not be considered to be free speech. |
Mr Bachmann previously stood down as head of Pegida, after photographs emerged of him dressed as Adolf Hitler. | |
What is Pegida? | What is Pegida? |
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