Outrage in Germany as video shows revellers 'performing Nazi salute'

Outrage in Germany after video shows revellers ‘performing the Nazi salute while listening to song linked to Third Reich’ at Oktoberfest event

• Video purportedly shows three men and a woman performing the Nazi salute

German revellers have sparked fury after video purportedly shows them performing the Nazi salute while listening to a song linked to the Third Reich at an Oktoberfest event.

Video reportedly shows three men and a woman dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes repeatedly raising their arms in a Nazi salute while singing along to the song ‘Erika’ by composer Herms Niel. 

The tune is a German marching band song published in 1938 and was associated with the Wehrmacht, the armed forces of the Third Reich. 

One man is accused of making the Nazi salute, which is considered a crime in Germany, as many as 14 times in 16 seconds while the woman raises her arm seven times. 

The video was filmed by a shocked onlooker at an Oktoberfest event in the small town of Zieschützen near Dresden, Germany, on Saturday night. 

German revellers have sparked fury after video purportedly shows them performing the Nazi salute while listening to a song linked to the Third Reich at an Oktoberfest event

Police are now investigating the incident, with a spokesperson telling local media: ‘We are investigating the initial suspicion that unconstitutional symbols were used. State security is also participating in the investigation.’ 

One of the event’s organisers Matthias Braune also distanced himself from the revellers’ actions.

He told Bild: ‘We clearly distance ourselves from these types of visitors. We just want to celebrate a normal Oktoberfest.’ He added that the song ‘Erika’, which is not banned, will not be played at future events. 

According to German law, performing a Nazi salute or using any Nazi-related symbols is considered ‘unconstitutional’, and offenders can be sent behind bars for up to three years.

Video reportedly shows three men and a woman dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes repeatedly raising their arms in a Nazi salute while singing along to the song ‘Erika’ by composer Herms Niel

One local commented on the video: ‘It’s not too late to reinstate the Nuremberg trials with harsher penalties yet.’

Another said: ‘This gives the same energy as southern Americans still rocking confederate flags because of heritage and nothing else.’

Someone else wrote: ‘In fairness, a good number of Germans would be outraged too!’

Another responded: ‘Herms Niel wrote Erika in 1938. Niel was definitely a Nazi through and through. The song Erika was incredibly popular in both the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. Like the song or not, it is a song by a Nazi for Nazis.’

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