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Denmark: US nazi to be extradited?

01 July 1995

American nazi Gary Lauk, who runs the German National Socialist Workers' Party from Nebraska, was arrested in Denmark on 20 March. He was detained, at the request of the German government, while visiting a Danish nazi organiser, Jonni Hansen, in Copenhagen. In Germany Lauk faces outstanding charges for i) spreading race hate material that is likely to disturb the peace by scandalising or defaming sections of the population; ii) the importation of nazi propaganda material; iii) the importation of nazi paraphernalia and iv) being a member of an illegal organisation. The final decision on Lauk's extradition rests with the Danish Minister of Justice, B Westh. He argued that while Lauk's activities are not illegal in Denmark nor the US his extradition would prevent Denmark being used as a base for nazi propaganda activities. On 23 June a high court ruled that Lauk could be extradited to face a possible five-year prison term in Germany. The court supported an earlier ruling that his anti-Semitic views infringed Danish anti-racism laws and that he could therefore face extradition proceedings. Lauk's lawyers are to appeal to Denmark's Supreme Court. Information, Denmark.