German court lifts ban on far-right Compact magazine

Judges said that while the magazine published anti-constitutional content, it did not justify a ban.

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The ruling is seen by some as a blow to Germany's fight against right-wing extremism, although for others it could be proof of the country's high standards of free speech.

In July 2024 the German interior ministry banned the magazine, arguing that it undermined the German constitution with rhetoric that attacked minorities.

"It is a central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene," said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser at the time. "This magazine incites unspeakable hatred against Jews, against people with a migration background, and against our parliamentary democracy."

The magazine is linked to the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) and previously had been classed by German domestic intelligence as right-wing extremist.