German far-right politician, Daniel Halemba, has faced arrest on the back of allegations that tied him with the display of banned Nazi symbols. The arrest came after “Sieg Heil”, a forbidden Nazi slogan, was heard from the fraternity headquarters to which Halemba is a known affiliate.
While the charges pointed to a credible flight risk, the court later dismissed this notion and released Halemba, newly-elected to the Bavarian parliament. The timing of events is of particular note as his detention occurred mere hours before he was due to be sworn into the parliament on Monday afternoon, a move that would have solidified his immunity status as an Alternative for Germany (AfD) MP.
With 22 years under his belt, Halemba stands as one of the youngest figures among the 32 AfD members elected, marking the party’s most successful electoral performance in Bavaria. The success ensures AfD’s strong opposition presence in the state.
Initial police interest was piqued following noise complaints from neighbours of the Teutonia Prag student fraternity, wherein they reported hearing echoes of the forbidden Nazi declaration. A subsequent police raid on the fraternity premises resulted in the confiscation of banned material, thereby validating the neighbours’ complaints.
Following these proceedings, Halemba now faces an ongoing investigation under suspicion of sedition and possession of outlawed symbols. Further allegations by prosecutors suggest Halemba may have attempted to manipulate the statements of his fraternity peers, alleging collusion or suppression of evidence.
While his lawyer has categorically denied the charges, insisting they lack substance, Halemba himself took to social media claiming his arrest warrant to be “totally lawless”.
Simultaneously, prominent figures within AfD, including Katrin Ebner-Steiner, the party’s leader in the Bavarian parliament, have decried what they denounce as a “politically motivated” prosecution.
In the face of controversy, the AfD continues to enjoy a wave of electoral success, as evident in their recent performance in the Bavarian and Hesse state elections. The party’s secular rise across Germany beckons close attention, as it consistently polls second nationwide. All eyes are now turned to the federal election slated for 2025.
