This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22423785

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Neo-Nazi murders: Beate Zschaepe goes on trial in Germany Neo-Nazi murders: Beate Zschaepe goes on trial in Germany
(35 minutes later)
An alleged member of a German neo-Nazi cell is due to go on trial in connection with a series of racially motivated murders.An alleged member of a German neo-Nazi cell is due to go on trial in connection with a series of racially motivated murders.
Beate Zschaepe, 38, is accused of being part of the National Socialist Underground (NSU), which killed 10 people, mostly of Turkish background.Beate Zschaepe, 38, is accused of being part of the National Socialist Underground (NSU), which killed 10 people, mostly of Turkish background.
She faces life in prison if convicted. Her lawyers deny the murder charges.She faces life in prison if convicted. Her lawyers deny the murder charges.
The case sparked controversy as police wrongly blamed the murders on the Turkish mafia for several years.The case sparked controversy as police wrongly blamed the murders on the Turkish mafia for several years.
The head of Germany's domestic intelligence service was eventually forced to resign over the scandal.The head of Germany's domestic intelligence service was eventually forced to resign over the scandal.
Critics have accused authorities of turning a blind eye to the crimes of right-wing extremists, the BBC'S Steve Evans in Berlin reports.Critics have accused authorities of turning a blind eye to the crimes of right-wing extremists, the BBC'S Steve Evans in Berlin reports.
Officials deny this, saying mistakes occurred because the murders were spread across different regions, each with different police and security agencies.Officials deny this, saying mistakes occurred because the murders were spread across different regions, each with different police and security agencies.
Execution styleExecution style
Ms Zschaepe is due to appear in a Munich court on Monday.Ms Zschaepe is due to appear in a Munich court on Monday.
She is charged with complicity in the murders of eight ethnic Turks, a Greek immigrant and a German policewoman between 2000 and 2007, as a founding member of the NSU.She is charged with complicity in the murders of eight ethnic Turks, a Greek immigrant and a German policewoman between 2000 and 2007, as a founding member of the NSU.
She is also accused of involvement in 15 armed robberies, arson and attempted murder in two bomb attacks.She is also accused of involvement in 15 armed robberies, arson and attempted murder in two bomb attacks.
Prosecutors say the aim of the execution-style killings was to spread fear among immigrants and prompt them to leave Germany.Prosecutors say the aim of the execution-style killings was to spread fear among immigrants and prompt them to leave Germany.
The cell remained undetected until Ms Zschaepe gave herself up in November 2011, after police discovered the bodies of two of her alleged accomplices.The cell remained undetected until Ms Zschaepe gave herself up in November 2011, after police discovered the bodies of two of her alleged accomplices.
Uwe Mundlos, 38, and Uwe Boenhardt, 34, appeared to have shot themselves after a botched bank robbery.Uwe Mundlos, 38, and Uwe Boenhardt, 34, appeared to have shot themselves after a botched bank robbery.
Before turning herself in, Ms Zschaepe is alleged to have burnt the flat the three shared. Only then did the authorities conclude that the killings were the work of neo-Nazis. After their deaths, the gun used in the murders of the 10 people was discovered.
In addition, a video emerged showing pictures of the corpses of the victims and identifying the "organisation" behind the murders as the NSU.
Only then did the authorities conclude that the killings were the work of neo-Nazis.
They had previously treated families of victims as suspects.They had previously treated families of victims as suspects.
As a result, the trial has taken on a meaning beyond the charges in court, as it is also puts the spotlight on attitudes towards the murder of members of ethnic minority groups, the BBC's Steve Evans in Munich says.As a result, the trial has taken on a meaning beyond the charges in court, as it is also puts the spotlight on attitudes towards the murder of members of ethnic minority groups, the BBC's Steve Evans in Munich says.