German AfD Politician Daniel Halemba Arrested for Possessing Nazi Symbols

Oct 30, 2023 at 9:31 PM Update: 2 hours ago

German AfD politician Daniel Halemba (22) has been arrested on charges of possessing Nazi symbols. The man was elected to the Bavarian parliament earlier this month. Striking: his arrest was a few hours before he would have been granted parliamentary immunity.

Once immune, he could not be prosecuted. However, on Monday, at the inauguration of the new parliament, his immunity was lifted. All factions, except the AfD, voted in favor.

Halemba would enter parliament in Bavaria for the Alternative für Deutschland (Alternatives for Germany, AfD) party. This party is seen as extreme right. With 32 seats in the Bavarian parliament, the largest election result ever for the AfD, the faction is the largest opposition party. His arrest is reported by, among others, the Southgerman newspaper and the BBC reported.

The police raided the Halemba student association after local residents complained that there was regular violence Sieg Heil was called. This slogan, allied to Nazi Germany, is banned in Germany. A number of Nazi symbols were found during the raid.

Halemba had been on the run since October 26, after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Justice in Germany also suspects him of influencing other members of his student association to change their statements.

Katrin Ebner-Steiner, the AfD’s chairman in the Bavarian parliament, condemned the arrest as “politically motivated”.

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2023-10-30 20:31:27
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