Hamburg / Germany (RNC Agency) 19.12.1997

Because of racial incitement two leading members of the association ‘‘The German Conservatives’’ have to justify themselves in the Hamburg county court. The 50 year old acting chairman of the association, Mr. Werner-Joachim Siegrist, and the 52 year old ma nager are accused of having insulted Roma and Sinti, naming them generally ‘‘evil and criminal rabble’’, with an agitation leaflet printed in 1992 with 17.000 copies .

Mr. Siegrist declared that he would not express his written opinions today as he did five years ago. ’’ I truly regret it if I harmed any of the people involved, and I am not ashamed to apologize’’, said the 50 year old in court. The process continues.