Transgender Far-Right Extremist's Jail Term Sparks German Controversy

A debate has arisen in Germany regarding the placement of a transgender right-wing extremist in a men's or women's prison.

In July 2023, Marla-Svenja Liebich was sentenced to one year and six months in prison without parole for incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult by the Halle District Court in Saxon-Anhalt.

Liebich, formerly known as Sven Liebich, lost an appeal against the sentence. Reports indicate Liebich was associated with a neo-Nazi group called Blood and Honour.

By the end of 2024, Liebich legally changed her gender from male to female and also changed her first name under Germany's Self-Determination Act, which allows transgender individuals to update their gender marker and name through a simple declaration at a registry office.

German media have raised doubts about the sincerity of Liebich's gender change, citing her history of right-wing extremist and queerphobic views.

Liebich has filed legal complaints against media outlets for allegedly misrepresenting her gender identity. A complaint to the Press Council against Der Spiegel was rejected as baseless.

Liebich is set to begin her prison term at Chemnitz women's prison as confirmed by the Chief Public Prosecutor in Halle. The decision on her final placement will be determined based on security considerations during her incarceration.

Liebich recently lost a legal case against journalist Julian Reichelt at the Berlin Regional Court, where her application for a preliminary injunction was dismissed.