This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8270598.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
German 'race hate' letters probed German 'race hate' letters probed
(10 minutes later)
German police are investigating whether a string of letters from the far-right NPD party to politicians from immigrant backgrounds have incited racial hatred.German police are investigating whether a string of letters from the far-right NPD party to politicians from immigrant backgrounds have incited racial hatred.
Dozens of politicians of foreign descent are running as candidates in Germany's election this Sunday.Dozens of politicians of foreign descent are running as candidates in Germany's election this Sunday.
The NPD reportedly sent 30 of them letters advising them to "go home".The NPD reportedly sent 30 of them letters advising them to "go home".
One recipient said the two-page letter contained a "five-point plan" for "moving foreigners gradually back to their home countries".One recipient said the two-page letter contained a "five-point plan" for "moving foreigners gradually back to their home countries".
The letters were signed by a non-existent "commissioner for the repatriation of foreigners".The letters were signed by a non-existent "commissioner for the repatriation of foreigners".
"We are investigating whether there is a suspicion of inciting racial hatred," said Martin Steltner, spokesman for the Berlin state prosecutor's office, quoted by Reuters news agency."We are investigating whether there is a suspicion of inciting racial hatred," said Martin Steltner, spokesman for the Berlin state prosecutor's office, quoted by Reuters news agency.
'This is my home''This is my home'
The National Democratic Party (NPD) leader in Berlin, Joerg Haehnel, defended the letters, which were sent at the weekend.The National Democratic Party (NPD) leader in Berlin, Joerg Haehnel, defended the letters, which were sent at the weekend.
"As part of a democracy we're entitled to say if something doesn't suit us in this country," Reuters quoted him as saying."As part of a democracy we're entitled to say if something doesn't suit us in this country," Reuters quoted him as saying.
One recipient, Green party politician Oezcan Mutlu, said he was "shocked" to get the letter.One recipient, Green party politician Oezcan Mutlu, said he was "shocked" to get the letter.
"This is my home town. I am German. I have only German citizenship. I have no country to go to," he told the BBC's Oana Lungescu."This is my home town. I am German. I have only German citizenship. I have no country to go to," he told the BBC's Oana Lungescu.
Mr Mutlu, a lawmaker in the Berlin state parliament, is used to hate mail. "Until recently I got them from individuals anonymously, but this time a party with the name on it is addressing me privately. You don't know what they can do if they have your address. I'm not afraid at all, but I have to be careful."Mr Mutlu, a lawmaker in the Berlin state parliament, is used to hate mail. "Until recently I got them from individuals anonymously, but this time a party with the name on it is addressing me privately. You don't know what they can do if they have your address. I'm not afraid at all, but I have to be careful."
DisenfranchisedDisenfranchised
Of some 50 million Germans eligible to vote in Sunday's poll, about one in 10 has an immigrant background.Of some 50 million Germans eligible to vote in Sunday's poll, about one in 10 has an immigrant background.
Many are ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union, while others are Turks whose parents came to Germany to help rebuild the country after the war.Many are ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union, while others are Turks whose parents came to Germany to help rebuild the country after the war.
The NPD, which has around 7,000 members and has been polling poorly ahead of Sunday's election, has no seats in Germany's national parliament but has some seats in regional assemblies.The NPD, which has around 7,000 members and has been polling poorly ahead of Sunday's election, has no seats in Germany's national parliament but has some seats in regional assemblies.
The NPD uses language eerily reminiscent of Nazi propaganda, our correspondent reports.The NPD uses language eerily reminiscent of Nazi propaganda, our correspondent reports.
The letter says foreigners should be excluded from the welfare system and banned from owning land in Germany.The letter says foreigners should be excluded from the welfare system and banned from owning land in Germany.
But of the 15 million immigrants in Germany, only a third have the right to vote - including 500,000 people of Turkish descent, our correspondent says.But of the 15 million immigrants in Germany, only a third have the right to vote - including 500,000 people of Turkish descent, our correspondent says.
In the Berlin district of Kreuzberg, dubbed "Little Istanbul," people at the weekly Turkish market mostly speak Turkish as well as German, and some of the stallholders wear headscarves.In the Berlin district of Kreuzberg, dubbed "Little Istanbul," people at the weekly Turkish market mostly speak Turkish as well as German, and some of the stallholders wear headscarves.
Young men selling vegetables told the BBC they would not be voting on Sunday. "I'd like to, but I'm not allowed," one said. "I'm a Turkish citizen."Young men selling vegetables told the BBC they would not be voting on Sunday. "I'd like to, but I'm not allowed," one said. "I'm a Turkish citizen."
Since Germany does not allow dual citizenship, many Turks who have made it their home are effectively disenfranchised. "We have to stand and watch as others decide for us," the vegetable seller complained.Since Germany does not allow dual citizenship, many Turks who have made it their home are effectively disenfranchised. "We have to stand and watch as others decide for us," the vegetable seller complained.