German neo-Nazi changes gender to serve sentence in women’s prison – media

Convicted far-right extremist Sven Liebich reportedly took advantage of a recent law prior to being incarcerated

A German neo-Nazi will serve his sentence in a women’s prison after taking advantage of a new law permitting registration under a different gender, media have reported.

Sven Liebich, a former member of the banned far-right group Blood and Honor, was convicted in 2023 on multiple counts, including incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult. He appealed the sentence and lost.

However, late last year, Liebich registered as female under Germany’s Self-Determination Act, a reform passed during Olaf Scholz’s government that came into effect in November. The law allows people to change their gender and first name at a registry office without a court ruling. Critics have warned the reform could be open to abuse.

According to German daily FAZ, he has now been ordered to serve 18 months at Chemnitz women’s prison in Saxony. Liebich appeared in court wearing a leopard-print top, a large hat, make-up and carrying a handbag.

Now officially listed as Marla-Svenja, Liebich argued the change was necessary to avoid “discrimination” in a male facility. He has since appeared in public in women’s clothing while still sporting a moustache.

Liebich was convicted on multiple counts, including incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult. Domestic intelligence services in Saxony reportedly classify him as a far-right extremist active both locally and nationwide. He has been photographed wearing a Nazi-style armband at rallies where black-clad demonstrators marched with red, white and black flags. The armband carried the slogan ‘Sicherheits-Abteilung,’ or SA, echoing the abbreviation of Hitler’s stormtrooper division.

According to media reports, the 53-year old previously burned Pride flags and described transgender people as “parasites,” raising questions over the motives behind his transition.

The chief public prosecutor said prison officials would determine whether Liebich’s placement threatens security and order. If so, he may be transferred to another facility.