A man from Bavaria who on July 2, 2024, wrote “Alles für Deutschland” in a post on X, which was later deleted, has been fined €8,400 by the court in Lindau – equivalent to approximately $10,000.
The X post from the man identified as Andreas M. read “That’s exactly why I vote for the AfD. Everything for Germany,” reports Apollo News.
He is accused of violating Section 86a of the Criminal Code, i.e. “use of symbols for unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.” “Everything for Germany” was also used as a slogan by the SA during the Nazi era.
On November 12 last year, more than four months after the X post, police raided his home and seized all electronic devices (PC, phone, hard drives), the public prosecutor’s office confirmed to the German news magazine.
The prosecution found nothing compromising on these devices and therefore brought charges against Andreas M. solely for the words “Everything for Germany,” seeking a seven-month prison sentence.
Since the court only sentenced him to pay a fine and court costs, but not imprisonment, the prosecution has appealed the verdict, as has Andreas M.
Speaking to Apollo News, M. described the public prosecutor’s approach as “excessive.” He had no general connection to right-wing extremist circles and was not familiar with the SA expression “Alles für Deutschland.” However, the district court saw things differently and sentenced him in June to a fine of 210 daily fines of 40 euros each, totaling 8,400 euros.
One of the most well-known AfD politicians has also been convicted for saying “Alles für Deutschland,” while a CDU politician has said the same thing without consequence.
M. had written the comment just one day after Björn Höcke was convicted by the district court in Halle – the AfD leader in Thuringia had used the expression “Alt für Deutschland” at several election campaign events and was reported for the same offense as M.
In recent years, the slogan has been used repeatedly by politicians, including the current minister Dorothee Bär and other public figures, without legal consequences.
The case against Andreas M. is part of a trend toward restricting freedom of expression that is not limited to Germany but also includes the United Kingdom, among other countries.