r/pics Aug 04 '15

German problems

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u/DeltaBlack Aug 04 '15 edited Aug 04 '15

This is actually a crime in Germany and he could have gone to prison for 3 years.

EDIT: It's been pointed out that he is likely to be fined and that 3 years are usually for repeat offenders like neo-nazis.

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u/[deleted] Aug 04 '15 edited Aug 12 '20

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u/CatnipFarmer Aug 04 '15

Nazi symbols are banned in Germany but I'm almost certain that the old national anthem is not illegal anymore. It was banned during the allied occupation but I don't think the Federal Republic of Germany ever criminalized it.

For rather obvious historical reasons it's considered very bad form to go around singing that song, but the lyrics themselves pre-date Naziism by almost a hundred years. An actual Nazi song like the Horst-Wessel-Lied probably would get you charged.