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Slovakia’s far-right leader Marian Kotleba, whose party has 14 seats in parliament, was sentenced today to four years and four months in prison for spreading hatred, for allegedly organizing a charity event that the court ruled was central. . idea.
Kotleba, a member of parliament and former regional governor who founded the far-right party Our Slovakia (LSNS), had been accused of distributing checks for 1,488 euros to poor families at an event marking the anniversary of the founding of the Slovak state. period.
The number 1488 is a symbol for racists of white supremacy, referring to a 14-word racist catchphrase and the Nazi salute “Heil Hitler,” which begins with the eighth letter of the alphabet. The court accepted prosecutors’ argument that the racist allegations were intentional.
The Pezinok Special Criminal Court, north of the capital Bratislava, ruled that 43-year-old Kotleba is guilty of supporting a movement aimed at suppressing fundamental rights and freedoms.
The decision is appealed to the Supreme Court and the far-right deputy was not immediately taken to prison. If the decision is ratified, Cotleba will also lose his parliamentary seat.
Kotleba’s party wants to withdraw Slovakia from the NATO alliance and is deeply critical of the EU. Slovak Jews and being taken to Nazi death camps. He was later tried for treason.
The LSNS party has softened its tone in recent years, pledging its commitment to toughen law and order and defend “decent Slovaks.”
He obtained fourth place in the February 2020 elections, obtaining 8% of the votes, winning 14 of the 150 seats in Parliament.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
