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Trial of right-wing extremist hunt in Chemnitz causes disappointment
Third trial in Chemnitz on right-wing extremist attacks on counter-demonstrators: Public prosecutor suggests stopping.
Trial of right-wing extremist hunt in Chemnitz causes disappointment
After seven years, another trial is about to begin in Chemnitz over the attacks by right-wing extremists on participants in a counter-demonstration. On September 9, 2025, how MDR reported, the third trial has been scheduled in this matter. The accusation against two men from Freital and Erfurt is breach of the peace and grievous bodily harm. The public prosecutor suggests discontinuing the proceedings against payment of a fine.
Against the background of these judicial negotiations, the question now arises: What happens next? The presiding judge Janko Ehrlich informed about this proposal, which was developed after discussions with the prosecution, co-prosecution and defense. The defense attorneys now have until September 19th to discuss this with their clients.
Review of events
In order to understand the background, it is necessary to take a look at the events of September 1, 2018. After a “funeral march” organized by right-wing extremists, which served to intimidate the “Heart instead of Hetze” counter-demonstrators, there were massive attacks. According to the charges, right-wing extremist slogans were shouted and several people were injured. Such incidents have brought the city and beyond into the spotlight. The killing of a German-Cuban man on the sidelines of a city festival sparked a wave of demonstrations, with right-wing extremist groups exploiting the situation to pursue their own political agendas.
A general media response and a heated political discussion followed, not least because - as in an article by Wikipedia documented - the police's reactions were also heavily criticized. This underestimated the potential violence of the demonstrations. Over 1,200 emergency services were needed to maintain order. Nevertheless, there were violent attacks on migrants, counter-demonstrators and journalists, which received international attention.
Shocking consequences of the riots
The consequences of these riots and the high level of public pressure led to all nine original defendants being acquitted in 2024 due to a lack of suspicion. Events such as the attack on the Jewish restaurant “Shalom” in Chemnitz and the killing of Daniel H. were part of a disturbing trend that goes far beyond Chemnitz. As the Federal Agency for Civic Education explains, right-wing extremism is one of the greatest threats to security in Germany and is repeatedly manifested in the form of attacks and attacks.
The victims' experience is muted. Many express their disillusionment with the legal process and have low expectations of the outcome of this process, based on their experiences with the first two trials. It remains to be seen whether the judiciary will reach a different conclusion in this third trial.