German Court Extends Trial Over Alleged Hate Speech by Baptist Preacher

The case centers on whether anti-LGBTQ+ statements from a Pforzheim church leader are protected under religious freedom or constitute incitement to hatred.

• The trial involves a preacher from the 'Baptistenkirche Zuverlässiges Wort Pforzheim' (BKZW), a group monitored by Germany's domestic intelligence agency for extremist activities.
• Prosecutors allege the preacher's statements in a 2023 sermon, live-streamed online, included calls for violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and undermined their equal rights.
• The defense argues the remarks fall under religious freedom protections in Germany's constitution and has requested expert testimony to clarify legal interpretations.
• The BKZW has been under surveillance since 2023 for promoting anti-LGBTQ+, antisemitic, and anti-democratic ideologies, as well as conspiracy theories.
• The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for December 5, where video evidence of the sermon will be reviewed, with further sessions likely depending on expert involvement.

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