Hitler Doppelganger Ordered to German Court for Incitement of Hatred
Quick Look
Dutch national Stefan Wijkamp, known as a Hitler doppelganger and far-right admirer, has been ordered to appear before a German court on July 24 for incitement of hatred, stemming from an interview where he glorified Adolf Hitler as a "world wonder without equal."
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Why It Matters
Stefan Wijkamp, a Dutch national and self-proclaimed admirer of Adolf Hitler, has frequently participated in far-right rallies in Germany since at least 2017, where public glorification of Nazi leaders is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison.
Hitler doppelganger Stefan Wijkamp has been ordered to appear before a German court on charges of incitement of hatred, Bild has reported. The Dutch national, who has repeatedly traveled to Germany to take part in far-right rallies in recent years, is an avowed admirer of the late Nazi leader.
On Sunday, Bild quoted Matthias Bieling, deputy head of the Munster district court, as confirming that the first hearing in the case is scheduled for next Friday, July 24. According to the publication, the German authorities took issue with an interview that Wijkamp gave to a YouTuber during a far-right demonstration in Munster last summer. In it, he proclaimed that his “love for Germany is called Adolf Hitler,” whom the outspoken Dutchman described as a “world wonder without equal” and a “genius.”
In modern-day Germany, the public glorification of Nazi Germany and its leaders is not considered protected speech and is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine.
Should Wijkamp fail to appear in court, an arrest warrant could be issued in his name, Bild reported, citing a lawyer specializing in criminal and immigration law.
According to the media outlet, the Hitler lookalike has frequented far-right gatherings in neighboring Germany since at least 2017. He even reportedly joined the now-defunct neo-Nazi ‘Die Rechte’ (The Right) party and served on its board for some time.
A perusal of the Dutch press indicates that Wijkamp has also had several run-ins with the law in his native Netherlands, with his offenses reportedly including performing a Nazi salute in public.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
An arrest warrant could be issued for Stefan Wijkamp if he fails to appear in court.
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- What will be the outcome of the court hearing?
- Will Stefan Wijkamp appear in court?
