Jena, 06.04.2026 – In the second trial against the right-wing extremist martial arts group “Knockout 51,” the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Jena has delivered its verdicts. The prison and probation sentences imposed remain significantly below the demands of the Generalbundesanwaltschaft and have met with sharp criticism from victim representatives.
- Event: Verdict announcement in the second “Knockout 51” trial
- Court: Oberlandesgericht Jena
- Defendants: Three men (aged 27, 35, and 44)
- Sentence: Main defendant (2 years and 9 months imprisonment), co-defendants (2 years and 1 year and 2 months on probation, respectively)
- Charge: Membership in and support of a criminal organization
Judges See No Terrorist Organization
The court once again classified the Eisenach-based group “Knockout 51” as a criminal, but not a terrorist organization. In doing so, the chamber under presiding judge Matthias Blaszczak followed the previous jurisprudence of the Bundesgerichtshof in this matter. Although the group was designed for acts of violence from the outset and pursued a political strategy, Blaszczak explained that an unconditional intent to kill was not the primary goal. Evidence such as an incident in which a victim was only headbutted and a knife was not used argued against this.
The Bundesanwaltschaft had requested prison sentences of between three and five years for the three defendants, who were considered leading figures or important supporters. The defense, on the other hand, pleaded for acquittal. Notably, one of those convicted, the 44-year-old, is a current city councilor for the right-wing extremist party “Die Heimat” (formerly NPD) in Eisenach.
Sharp Criticism from Victim Organizations
The relatively lenient sentences immediately provoked incomprehension. Victim counseling centers such as the Thüringer Opferberatung ezra and the democracy consultants from Mobit accuse the court of downplaying the danger posed by the militant group. A spokesperson for Mobit emphasized that the verdict drastically underestimates the real presence of the neo-Nazi group in Eisenach.
Investigators had proven, among other things, that the group had attacked police officers during Corona demonstrations, printed weapons using 3D printers, and conducted shooting training in Tschechien. The extremists’ declared goal was to simulate a regulatory force in Westthüringen and establish a so-called “Nazi-Kiez.”
The verdicts delivered are not yet legally binding. In a first trial at the OLG Jena, four leading members had previously been sentenced to prison terms. These decisions are also not yet final.
Background: State Protection Proceedings in Thüringen
The Oberlandesgericht in Jena is the highest ordinary court in the Freistaat Thüringen. Its State Protection Senate regularly hears proceedings against extremist groups of supra-regional importance. For security reasons, such trials often take place under massive police precautions. Investigations into right-wing extremist networks usually require close cooperation between the Thüringer security authorities and the Bundesanwaltschaft in Karlsruhe, particularly when there is suspicion of the formation of a criminal or terrorist organization in accordance with Sections 129 and 129a of the Strafgesetzbuch.
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Lenient sentences, harsh criticism after verdict on Knockout 51
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