Kapke reveals his true colors

The third day of questioning of André Kapke, co-founder of the “Thuringia Home Guard” and NSU-supporter from the early days, finally brought clarity concerning the ideological background of the THS, both before and after Böhnhardt, Mundlos and Zschäpe went underground. The deadly hatred against non-Germans, the enthusiasm for the mass murder of the European Jews which became apparent in the activities of the THS was also shared by Zschäpe and Wohlleben, as Kapke’s answers in court show.

Kapke’s testimony also showed that Wohlleben has not changed into a “moderate nationalist”, as his defence is trying to imply, but that he had been involved in National Socialist propaganda until shortly before his arrest.

What finally made it impossible for Kapke to play down his ideology was a series of photos of the “Fest der Völker” (“Festival of Peoples”), a political festical with music bands, political talks and visitors from all over Europe which Kapke and Wohlleben had organized together over several years. He was unable to lie away pictures of the main stage with a banner showing Waffen SS men marching under the flags of several nations, even though he rambled on about “peace in Europe.”

The list of speakers and bands which appeared at the “Fest der Völker” between 2005 and 2009, also speaks for itself: the main stage was filled with everybody who was somebody in the fascist and National Socialist movement in Europe, including a large number of “Blood and Honour” bands. The “Fest der Völker” – the title is based in a film of Hitler’s favorite director Leni Riefenstahl on the 1936 Berlin Olympics – brings together those groups whose members are involved in spreading hatred against migrants, Jews and supposed or actual political opponents and often also in attacks and murders perpetrated against these groups. In addition, it should be noted that many of the known supporters of the NSU also come from a “Blood and Honour”-background.

This trial day thus clearly refuted Kapke’s attempts to depict the THS as a group of youths concerned about the environment and generally “opposed to the system”.

Press Release of several victims’ counsel in the NSU trial.

Munich, 20 March 2014

“We are not the court of last judgment!”
Federal prosecution again prevents victims’ counsel from questioning a Nazi witness

During yesterday’s questioning of witness Carsten R., who had rented a flat for Mundlos, Böhnhardt and Zschäpe after they had gone underground, and who was obviously lying to the court, the federal prosecution torpedoed critical questioning by victims’ counsel.

Questioned by victim’s counsel whether he had not cared at all why “the Three” had gone underground in 1998, the witness stated that he had not cared at all whether they had stolen chocolate bars or killed someone. He was then asked about his thoughts when he found out via the media in 2011 that “the Three” had in fact committed several murders. At this crucial point, the federal prosecution interrupted questioning by the victims’ counsel, in violation of the rules of criminal procedure, and stated that „We are not the court of last judgment, it is not the duty of a witness to justify himself for his attitudes, but rather to testify on his factual experiences.“
The prosecution thus kept the witness from answering the question. They have shown that they are trying to prevent a critical examination of his truthfulness and of his motivation to make false statements in court. A worthwhile examination of the witness by victims’ counsel was thus factually prevented.

The federal prosecution has shown similar behavior several times previously when victims’ counsel questioned witnesses who were part of the right wing scene. The undersigned counsel cannot help but gain the impression that the federal prosecution is actively opposing an actual elucidation of the structures which have led to the NSU coming into being and continuing to exist and which have supported the NSU in the crimes attributed to it. Now that several witnesses from the Nazi scene have been questioned, the news has apparently spread among them that they can lie or feign memory gaps with impunity and even be supported by the federal prosecution in doing so.

Victims’ counsel, Attorneys at Law
Alkan, Basay, von der Behrens, Bogazkaya, Clemm, Daimagüler, Dr. Elberling, Hoffmann, Ilius, Kaniuka, Kara, Kienzle, Kolloge, Kuhn, Lex, Lunnebach, Narin, Parlayan, Pinar, Reinecke, Scharmer, Sariyar, Sfatkidis, Sidiropoulos, Stolle, Top, Ünlücay, Wierig