Died Holocaust denier Horst Mahler
Horst Mahler, Controversial Figure and Holocaust Denier, Dies at 89
Horst Mahler, a divisive figure in German politics who transitioned from a co-founder of the left-wing extremist Red Army Faction (RAF) to a notorious Holocaust denier and neo-Nazi, passed away on Sunday at a Berlin hospital. The news was confirmed by his lawyer, Jan Dollwetzel, to the German Press Agency (dpa).
Born in Poland (then part of Germany) in 1936, Mahler began his career as a lawyer, representing notable figures such as Nazi hunter Beate Klarsfeld and student leader Rudi Dutschke in the 1960s. However, his political trajectory took an unusual turn in the 1970s, when he co-founded the RAF and was arrested and imprisoned for ten years.
Following his release in the 1980s, Mahler distanced himself from left-wing extremism and made a dramatic shift to far-right extremism in the 1990s. He became a committed neo-Nazi, joined the far-right National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD), which later rebranded as The Homeland (Die Heimat), and expressed antisemitic views, including Holocaust denial.
Mahler's legal troubles continued throughout the 2000s and 2010s, with multiple convictions and prison sentences for incitement and extremist acts. He was released due to illness in 2015 but continued his extremist activities, including giving talks to neo-Nazi audiences. In 2017, he fled Germany but was extradited back and completed his sentence by 2020. His final trial was suspended in 2023 due to health reasons.
Dollwetzel, Mahler's lawyer, has also faced legal challenges in Germany, with a recent conviction by the Potsdam Regional Court.
Throughout his life, Mahler's ideological transformation from far-left terrorism to far-right neo-Nazism was marked by persistent legal consequences tied to extremist activities. His death at the age of 89 serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of such controversial figures on the political landscape.
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Politics and general-news outlets reported on Horst Mahler's death at 89, a divisive figure in German politics who shifted from a co-founder of the radical Red Army Faction to a notorious neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier. His controversial views on crime and justice led to numerous legal troubles and convictions throughout his life.
