Leipzig, August 23, 2024, The Europe Today: The Leipzig District Court on Friday imposed an €80,000 ($89,000) fine on Melanie Müller, a former reality TV personality turned pop singer, for illegal actions during a September 2022 concert in the city and for possession of drugs.
Müller was found guilty of “using the symbols of unconstitutional or terrorist organizations” after video footage from the concert showed her repeatedly making a gesture resembling the Nazi salute. The event, which took place in front of a crowd with right-wing ties, sparked significant controversy.
Despite her defense team’s assertion that Müller has no right-wing sympathies and was merely trying to energize the crowd, Judge Lucas Findeisen ruled that Müller had knowingly engaged in behavior that echoed Nazi chants. The court also found her guilty of possessing cocaine and ecstasy, rejecting her claim that the drugs belonged to a friend.
The €80,000 fine far exceeded the €5,700 penalty originally requested by prosecutors. Müller’s defense had sought an acquittal, arguing that her actions had been misinterpreted and that negative media coverage had damaged her career.
Judge Findeisen dismissed these arguments, stating that Müller had clearly “embraced the mood of the crowd” and intentionally altered her gestures to align with the audience’s Nazi-inspired chants.
Müller, who gained fame in Germany through reality TV shows such as “Jungle Camp” and “Big Brother,” has seen her career decline sharply in the wake of the scandal. During the trial, she revealed that her tour bookings in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland had been canceled, leaving her with performances only in Mallorca, Spain.
The verdict is not yet final, and Müller may appeal the decision.
