FREE HENDRIK MÖBUS

Explosive Procedure
US authorities want Thüringer neo-Nazi deported as fast as possible [ German version ]

US right-wing extremists try to use the case of the "Satansmörder," Hendrik Möbus, for their propaganda. US authorities therefore want to avoid lengthy legal arguments.

by Thomas Rothbart

"Hendrik Möbus is not somebody, who we welcome here with open arms" said Cecil Underwood, governor of West Virginia. He was not glad to see the Sondershausen neo-Nazi in his state. He is strictly against neo-Nazi movements, he stresses. Therefore, the political activities which have unfolded since Möbus' arrest one week ago, were a thorn in the eye to him.

After his escape from Germany in December 1999, Möbus found shelter at the rightist hate organization "Aryan Nations." Later William Pierce, one of the most well-known US right-wing extremists accommodated the young German nazi on his property in West Virginia. The National Alliance, created by Pierce, is one at the most tightly organized right-wing extremist of the groups in the USA. This becomes clear in the case Möbus. The National Alliance is conducting a large propaganda campaign based on the premise that the deportation of the "political prisoner" to Germany should be prevented.

The US Government is therefore in a dilemma. Giving the Hitler greeting, for which Möbus' probation in the Federal Republic of Germany was rescinded, is not punishable in the USA. Stating that his right to free expression of opinion is violated in Germany, the 24-year-old requested political asylum. He wanted the Federal Court in Clarksburg, West Virginia to prevent his transfer to the US immigration authority.

Such a procedure (an extradition case as opposed to deportation) would have not only have allowed a podium for propaganda, but could have dragged on for years. German lawyers feared that the extradition case would have allowed imprisonment only for the time remaining on the Sandro B murder conviction. It would not have allowed additional imprisonment for the showing of the Nazi salute. (He could be imprisoned only for the time he was formerly sentenced to serve on probation, not for additional time.) "That would be a scornful insult," commentated Rudolf Lass, president of the Erfurter District Court. Therefore the best way was, and is, deportation.

Obviously also the US federal authorities want to solve an uncomfortable case of this type. The procedure in Clarksburg was struck down. "And where there is no procedure, there is no objection possible", said Möbus' public defender, Stephen Jory. The lawyer estimated that the deportation would take place rapidly.

In the meantime, Möbus is already in the custody of the US immigration authority. With its arrest Before receiving instructions from Pierce Möbus signed an agreement not to oppose deportation to Germany. His visa had expired after a period of 90 days.

Only the request for political asylum stalled the deportation. When asylum is requested there is a right to a hearing. The political explosiveness of the case could influence the decision-making process, German lawyers fear. Möbus has already been transferred to New York state. West Virginia is glad not to be burned by this "hot potato" (as the saying in the USA goes). The "Satansmörder" has already made history in West Virginia, however. His case was the first international extradition requested from that state.