A neo-Nazi facing prison time for defamation and inciting hatred has changed his name and gender in a move that could see him serving his sentence in a women’s prison.
Right-wing extremist Sven Liebich, from Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, has links to the neo-Nazi party The Homeland, formerly the National Democratic Party (NPD). The agitator, however, now reportedly calls himself Marla-Svenja Liebich.
The 53-year-old, who has also been linked to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) far-right party was sentenced in August 2024 to one year and six months in prison without the possibility of parole for incitement and defamation in several cases. It’s believed Liebich changed name and gender at the end of 2024 after taking advantage of a new German law.
German media reported that Liebich used the new law on self-determination with regard to gender registration (SBGG), which came into force in Germany on November 1, 2024. Liebich applied to the registry office in Schkeuditz, Saxony, to have his gender and first name changed.
After examining his application, the registrars made the gender and name change official, granting his request. According to German media, his visual appearance has not changed beyond his beard being slightly longer.
Liebich had appealed his sentence, which is now pending review by the Higher Regional Court (OLG) in Naumburg, in a case that is now technically against a man who no longer exists. It is unclear whether Liebich will serve his sentence in a women’s prison is the sentence is upheld.
In a statement, the Halle Public Prosecutor’s Office said: “The public prosecutor’s office is responsible for executing the sentence as soon as the verdict is final. Since this is not the case so far, questions about the circumstances of the sentence do not arise. However, there is no automatic process for a man to be sent to a women’s prison after changing his gender and name. In each case, there will be an individual review.”
Despite the name change, the charges against Liebich remain, with an unnamed judicial worker from the Federal Central Register telling German Daily Bild: “The physical legal person remains. A change in the civil status law is of secondary importance.” This means that the name change does not void any of his previous convictions but it does open up the possibility that Liebich could end up being sent to a women’s prison.
The appeal is ongoing.
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