The Cologne court, however, ruled that the classification of Young Alternative as extremist is justified, though the group is likely to now appeal that decision.
The court’s ruling is certain to fuel debate in Germany about whether Young Alternative should be banned. In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of Germans have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the AfD and far-right extremism.
The Cologne court’s decision “clearly shows that we are dealing with massive contempt for humanity, racism, hatred against Muslims and attacks on our democracy,” Nancy Faeser, Germany’s interior minister and member of the ruling Social Democrats, said in Berlin on Tuesday. “We will continue to take action against this with the means of the rule of law.”