Prominent figure in German far-right party going on trial over alleged use of Nazi slogan

By GEIR MOULSON and KERSTIN SOPKE
Associated Press

HALLE, Germany (AP) — One of the most prominent figures in the far-right Alternative for Germany party is going on trial Thursday on charges of twice using a Nazi slogan, months before a regional election in which he is running to become his state’s governor. Björn Höcke is the leader of the regional branch of Alternative for Germany, or AfD, in the eastern state of Thuringia and a powerful figure on the party’s hard right. At the trial at the state court in Halle, he is charged with using symbols of unconstitutional organizations.  He is accused of ending a speech in 2021 with the words “Everything for Germany!” The trial also includes a recently added second count that he repeated the offense in December.