Descendant of Nazi opponent tries to remove AfD wreath at Berlin memorial
9 reported
A descendant of an executed opponent of the Nazis attempted to remove a wreath from the far-right Alternative for Germany party at a Berlin memorial event marking the 82nd anniversary of the failed attempt to kill Adolf Hitler. Tobias Korenke, great-nephew of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, tried to remove the wreath from the parliamentary group of Alternative for Germany, or AfD, at Monday’s event at the site where the main plotters were executed, according to German news agency dpa. Security officers intervened, and the wreath was damaged in the scuffle. Korenke expressed anger at seeing AfD lay wreaths at the site, stating he and other descendants would not accept it. AfD finished second in last year’s German national election and is now the biggest opposition party, rejecting accusations of extremism. The party’s parliamentary group confirmed providing a wreath, but it was unclear if any members were present. A grandson of plot leader Claus von Stauffenberg said AfD was trying to exploit his grandfather’s memory but should not be prevented from laying a wreath.
What’s reported
Tobias Korenke, great-nephew of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, tried to remove an AfD wreath at a Berlin memorial event on Monday.
The event marked the 82nd anniversary of the failed July 20, 1944, plot to kill Adolf Hitler.
Security officers intervened, and the wreath was damaged in the scuffle.
AfD finished second in last year’s German national election and is the biggest opposition party.
AfD lawmaker Götz Frömming said the party is invited to such official events as a parliamentary party.
Col. Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to kill Hitler with a briefcase bomb; Hitler survived when the briefcase was moved.
Von Stauffenberg and fellow plotters were executed within hours; Bonhoeffer was executed in 1945.
Tuesday’s memorial event went ahead with a speech by Education Minister Karin Prien.
Karl von Stauffenberg, a grandson of the plot leader, said AfD should not be prevented from laying a wreath.
Key figures
Tobias Korenke: great-nephew of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Protestant pastor and theologian, executed opponent of the Nazis
Götz Frömming: AfD lawmaker
Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: leader of the failed 1944 plot to kill Hitler
Karl von Stauffenberg: grandson of Claus von Stauffenberg
Karin Prien: German Education Minister
Sources: abcnews.com
