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Germany: Nazi groups banned

01 March 1995

Germany banned two more neo-nazi organisations during February after the constitutional court ruled that the Free German Workers' Party (FAP) and the Hamburg based National List were not legitimate political parties. Ten neo-nazi organisations have now been outlawed by federal or state authorities since 1989. The FAP was one of Germany's largest fascist groups with an estimated 1500 members. It has a reputation for violence and has frequently held marches with members dressed in nazi-style uniforms. One of its most publicised activities was in Fulda, in August 1993, when members of the British National Party joined them on the sixth anniversary of the death of Rudolf Hess. At the Fulda rally their leader, Friedhelm Busse, declared that the aim of the party was to seize absolute power in Germany. Following the banning the Interior Minister, Manfred Kanther, ordered raids on homes and offices used by the FAP. In March German police carried out further raids directed at the National List and its leader, Christian Worch. Worch plays a pivotal role in disseminating propaganda material from the American nazi Gary Lauk who runs the German National Socialist Workers' Party from Nebraska. Much of his material has been distributed from Denmark where Lauk was arrested in March. He now faces extradition to Germany where there is an outstanding international warrant for his arrest. International Herald Tribune 25.2.95; Observer 5.3.95; Guardian 24.3.95.