German politician fined €18,000 for racist comments against Afghans

A court in Germany has fined Detlef Görtz, a former member of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament and member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), €18,000 for insulting Afghan people.

This ruling came after Görtz made offensive comments about Afghans on the social media platform X/formerly Twitter.

The incident that led to Görtz’s controversial remarks occurred in late June when an Afghan citizen in Berlin killed a fellow Afghan with a knife. The attacker later injured three people in an attack during the Euro 2024 opening game in eastern Germany. The police shot and killed the attacker.

Following the attack, Görtz, the former parliamentarian, posted inflammatory and offensive statements on X, calling for the expulsion of Afghan people from Germany. His comments sparked widespread outrage.

The Halle (Saale) court issued a ruling stating that Görtz must pay a daily fine of €200 for the next 90 days. However, Görtz has stated that he is appealing the decision and has filed for a review of the court’s ruling.

German media reports indicate that Görtz’s comments came shortly after the knife attack by an Afghan refugee during the football match. On X, he wrote, “This country must be cleansed of Afghans.”

Görtz also defended the police’s shooting of the Afghan attacker, referring to the individuals involved in the incident as “scum” who should be “removed from Germany.” Although he deleted his post, the comments led to a complaint filed by Björn Höcke, a member of the Left Party in parliament, which triggered a criminal investigation.

Höcke condemned Görtz’s remarks and criticized his use of the term “scum” as an insult to all Afghans. He described the language as incitement to hate and a violation of the principles enshrined in Germany’s constitution, which guarantees human dignity and equal rights for all.

The charge of incitement to hatred typically carries a sentence of three months in prison, but in certain cases, a German court may substitute the prison sentence for a fine.

The fine imposed on Detlef Görtz serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of hate speech and incitement to violence in Germany. Despite his attempt to appeal the ruling, the case highlights the country’s commitment to combating racism and intolerance.

This case underscores the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the protection of public order and safety. Görtz’s remarks, which many viewed as inflammatory, sparked an important debate about the limits of political expression and the responsibility of public figures in shaping social discourse.

Germany’s response to Görtz’s comments demonstrates the country’s strong stance against hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric. As the legal proceedings continue, this case may set a precedent for how such offenses are dealt with in the future, particularly when they involve public figures and social media platforms.

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