Higher Regional Court: Judgment expected against suspected left-wing extremists

After almost 100 days of negotiations, the trial against the alleged left-wing extremist Lina E. and three other suspects is coming to an end this morning at the Dresden Higher Regional Court (OLG). The federal prosecutor accuses the accused of brutally beating up people from the right-wing scene in Leipzig, Wurzen and Eisenach between 2018 and 2020. The student Lina E. is considered the head of the group, which is said to have acted as a criminal organization.

The prosecution requested eight years in prison for the 28-year-old Lina E., for the three men aged 28 to 37 years prison sentences of between two years and nine months and three years and nine months. The defense criticized the procedure as a “political process” and demanded acquittals.

Judgment announced for tomorrow

Lina E. has been in custody for two and a half years because of the allegations. The others could enter the court for trial as free men. The defense repeatedly accused the federal prosecutor’s office of putting the accused in the vicinity of terrorists with all the circumstances of the proceedings and of being biased.

The presiding judge, Hans Schlueter-Staats, has announced his verdict for 10 a.m. The end of the process also takes place under increased security precautions. The Higher Regional Court begins admission at 7.30 a.m. Spectators and media representatives have to go through security checkpoints.

Rallies in Dresden and Leipzig

In the left scene, demonstrations were called for Lina E. and her comrades-in-arms – for the day of the verdict and for the coming Saturday. Rallies are planned in Dresden and Leipzig today. Nationwide protests were called for Saturday. Security authorities fear riots and want to be prepared with a large police force.