In the Dresden trial against the alleged left-wing extremist Lina E. and three co-defendants, the federal prosecutor sees their allegations as proven. After 92 days of negotiations, it is clear that, as members of a criminal organization, they planned and carried out attacks on members of the right-wing scene in Leipzig, Wurzen and Eisenach (Thuringia) between 2018 and 2020, said a representative of the prosecution on Thursday in the trial at the Dresden Higher Regional Court.
Accordingly, the student from Hesse had a prominent position in the group, was involved in planning and actions, selection of the victims and their enlightenment and had a monitoring and controlling function. “She was immediately and actively involved in all of the previously known robberies.”
According to the prosecution, the association, which is geared towards committing violent acts motivated by left-wing politics in and around Leipzig, was formed in 2018 at the latest to force them to give up their political activity. E. had been a member of the association since August 2018 at the latest, her co-defendants from 2019 and 2020. Lina E.’s fiancé, who was wanted by arrest warrant, is one of the central actors and is also involved in acts of violence.
The federal prosecutor’s office bases its view on information provided by a key witness and sees it confirmed by evidence such as DNA traces, chat content, images from surveillance cameras, photos or statements by witnesses and victims. “There is no doubt that the accused were members of this political association and were active as such in a variety of ways,” said federal prosecutor Alexandra Geilhorn.
The defendants wanted to attack people who were actually or supposedly members of the right-wing scene. Scenarios for the deeds – superior personnel, surprise effect, ambush attacks – were regularly trained with the aim of causing lasting damage to the people. It was about “breaking them mentally as a signal to others about the consequences of being right”.
According to the prosecution, the accused were guided by a “militant anti-fascist attitude”. In addition to the common ideology, personal ties such as friendships also promoted the merger, whereby one closed oneself off from the outside world. “Your own actions were not questioned, there was no doubt about it,” said Geilhorn, describing the group’s sense of unity.
According to Geilhorn, a hiding place for objects of crime in Leipzig is further evidence of the dangerous nature of the group. Equipment, striking tools such as hammers and axes, bengalos, handguns, clothing for robberies and work clothes from various delivery services and a craft company for camouflage were found in the attic room to which E. had access.
The federal prosecutor observed an increase in the number and intensity of violent clashes between right-wing and left-wing extremists, as public prosecutor Alexandra Geilhorn stated at the beginning of the closing speech. “Massive use of force, injuries, physical attacks on political opponents are to be condemned, prosecuted and punished in equal measure.”
“There is no such thing as good political violence,” said the federal prosecutor. According to their worldview, the accused had taken the law into their own hands. This action only promotes the radicalization of the political camps. “The court is called upon to counteract this danger of such a radicalized spiral.”
The session adjourned after more than five hours of pleading. The federal prosecutor’s office wants to draw their conclusions and apply for a sentence.
The process began in September 2021 under high security precautions. In addition to the now 28-year-old student Lina E., three men from Leipzig and Berlin also have to answer in court for forming a criminal organization. The defense considers this accusation to be fabricated and speaks of a “politicized procedure”. E. has been in custody since November 2020, her co-defendants are free.
