German politician and European Parliament member from the Alternative for Germany party Petr Bystron has been fined for posting an edited photo on social media in which former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is depicted with a gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute. Focus magazine reported this news.
“According to the decision of the Munich District Court, (Bystron) must pay 90 daily fines, equivalent to 125 euros, for a total of 11,250 euros, for the unconstitutional and unconstitutional use of symbols of terrorist organizations,” the publication wrote.
It is worth noting that this politician posted photos on the social network Twitter in 2022 on the occasion of the dismissal of then Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk. The photos show Merkel and former German president Bettina Wulff's wife with their arms raised and stretched forward, accompanied by the caption: “Goodbye, Melnik! German politicians are waving goodbye to you!”
Despite the lawyers' arguments about the “political background” contained in the case, the court proved that Bystron had intentionally used the banned Nazi salute in the montage. It should be noted that the defense has one week to appeal the verdict.
Previously, it was reported that an American flag with a swastika was found in the office of US Republican Congressman Dave Taylor.
