Violent clashes erupted in the German city of Leipzig for the second consecutive night as left-wing protesters took to the streets in outrage over the sentencing of a woman convicted of vigilante attacks on neo-Nazis. Lina E, who had been detained since 2020, was sentenced to five years in jail but released pending an appeal. The protests, initially banned by authorities, saw demonstrators setting up roadblocks, lighting fires, and hurling stones at police officers.
Despite the ban, approximately 1,500 people gathered in Leipzig, with an estimated one-third of them deemed “prone to violence” by police. Similar scenes unfolded the previous night, with hundreds of individuals lighting bonfires and launching stones at police vehicles from buildings.
Lina E was considered a prominent figure in a far-left group responsible for carrying out a series of violent campaigns against the extreme right, including attacks utilizing weapons such as hammers, iron bars, and baseball bats. Three other men, whose last names were not disclosed, were also sentenced to jail alongside Lina E.
The decision to release Lina E after two-and-a-half years in custody has sparked controversy, leading some Germans to express their anger, believing that it implies an acceptance of violence against the extreme right. Currently unwell, Lina E has been required to surrender her identity card and passport while awaiting the outcome of her appeal.
The protests against the sentencing of Lina E have extended beyond Leipzig, with far-left demonstrations taking place in several cities across Germany. Police in these locations have also faced attacks, including being targeted with bottles, fireworks, and baseball bats.
The clashes in Leipzig highlight the ongoing tension surrounding political extremism in the country and raise questions about the appropriate response to acts of vigilantism against neo-Nazis. As the appeals process unfolds, Germany continues to grapple with the complex challenges of balancing justice, public safety, and societal divisions.
Source: BBC
