GERMANY: KOBLENZ: NEO-NAZI TRIAL BEGINS
(29 Sep 1995) German/Nat One of the biggest trials of neo-Nazis since the war began in the German city of Koblenz Friday. 16 people are accused of belonging to a banned neo-nazi organisation - the German Alternative. The German government banned the group because of its racist ideology. Heavy security outside the courtroom in Koblenz, Germany, for the trial of neo- Nazi leader Michael Petri and fifteen other alleged Nazi activists. Its the first major German neo-Nazi trial since the mid 1980s, and one of the biggest since the Second World War. The sixteen - fifteen men and a woman - are accused of being members of a fascist organization called the German Alternative or DA. The DA was banned by the German government in 1992 because of its racist beliefs. However its members allegedly carried on its activities under two cover names - the Action Front National Comrades and the German Nationalists. The main defendant is the 23 year old German Nationalist leader Michael Petri - a founder of DA. Most of the accused are in their twenties but a couple in their sixties - the Muellers - allegedly hosted Nazi meetings at their house. The prosecution announced it will use Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" as well as the original Nazi party manifesto in the case. The judge postponed the trial for a week for the defence lawyer to study the documents. SOUNDBITE: In German "What is taking place here is not as important as you make it. A few people got together at the Muellers' place every now and then for an evening of camaraderie. My God what kind of danger does this present to the state? This is totally exaggerated." SUPER CAPTION: Hans-Otto Sieg, Defence lawyer The group allegedly met at the Mueller's house in Mainz. 300 police twice raided the house in 1993 and arrested the people on trial today. The case could take up to a year to complete. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
