The Trial of Germar Rudolf in Mannheim District Court

Day 5, December 21, 2006

by Günter Deckert
Translated by J. M. Damon

Slated for 9 a.m., the proceedings began at 9:20.
18 selected observers were present in the courtroom when proceedings began, as well as the Court in its usual composition; District Attorney Grossmann; no one from the media(?); only a few policemen (armed); one bailiff and two Staschu (State Security agents.)

An unpleasant surprise awaited the large number of persons who had come to observe today’s proceedings. Because of a trial of “exotic drug dealers and their German flunkies” (sixteen defendants altogether), Germar’s trial was moved to a small adjoining chamber that could seat only 18 persons. At least 50 persons had come, some from far away.

These included Dr. Kosiek of the Grabert Publishing House in Tübingen, as well as my French translator Claude Virieu of Paris. The security inspection was carried out this time without the usual x-ray apparatus. It was very elaborate and time consuming since only three of the six or seven attendants were actually doing anything. Dr. Meinerzhagen, the presiding judge of the Zündel Court, who has the reputation of being somewhat cantankerous, relented on account of the relocation of Germar’s trial. He allowed the public to sit in the front row of seats that are normally reserved for the media, in case no official reporters appeared.

He also allowed additional standing space against the wall in the rear of the chamber. However Judge Schwab, the presiding judge of the Rudolf court, exercised his authority and disallowed both of these concessions. This led to loud expressions of discontent on the part of those who were shut out, with the result that the “Head House Manager” threatened to clear out the vestibule. However it did not come to that, because after about ten minutes the chamber door opened again. The day’s proceedings had already come to an end.

The Trial Will Be Continued on 10 January 2007

What had happened? The focus of today’s proceedings was to be the testimony of a member of the BKA (Bundeskriminalamt, Federal Police) concerning how passages from the rough draft of Germar’s book Vorlesungen über den Holocaust (Lectures on the Holocaust) came to be in his indictment. From reports of those fortunate observers the “Lucky 18,” I was able to gather that the matter had been cleared up in the meantime.

Germar had assumed that the BKA had illegally tapped Horst Mahler’s computer. That was incorrect, however. Attorney Stolz had already introduced the rough draft of the book in the Zündel trial. Was it used as evidence? Since the Court was not prepared for additional matter, or else did not want to be bothered before Christmas, Judge Schwab ended the proceedings and recessed the Court until the 10th of January.

Wer grade seine Furche pflügt,
Dem Freund und Kumpel nicht betrügt;
Wer keinem Lump die Stiefel putzt
Und nicht das eig´ne Nest beschmutzt;
Wer gleich wie auch der Würfel fällt,
Dem Vaterland die Treue hält;
Tut auch im neuen Jahre
Das WAHRE!

G.S. von Langeweyde

[He who steadfastly plows a straight furrow
and does not betray his friend;
refuses to clean his inferior’s boots
or desecrate his own nest;
he who regardless of the peril
remains true to the Fatherland
will persevere in doing the right thing
in the coming year!]

In the spirit of Georg Sluyterman von Langeweyde, I send you warmest greetings and best wishes for reflective hours on the passing of the year, as well as a prosperous, but above all a healthy New Year!

Günter Deckert
Weinheim an der Bergstraße, 21 December 2006 (Winter Solstice).

Whoever refers to my reports on Germar’s trial, please be so kind as to mention my name. Also, if anyone is interested in documentation pertaining to the government’s witholding my passport, as well as my impressions of the 13th through 16th December of the Teheran Holocaust Conference please contact me (include 5 Euros for postage.)
Thanks!