World

German far-right activist sent to men’s prison despite gender change

German far-right activist Marla-Svenja Liebich, who legally changed gender to a woman in 2024, was taken to a men’s prison after being extradited to Germany from the Czech Republic, officials said on Thursday.

Liebich arrived in Germany on Wednesday and was initially taken to a ‌women’s prison in Chemnitz in the eastern German state of Saxony before being transferred to a men’s prison on the same day, the Saxony Ministry of Justice said.

The decision was taken by experts in consultation with the prison management and the minister of justice was not involved in the decision, it said.

“It’s good that the prison ‌quickly set the record straight and did not get drawn into any theatrics,” Saxony Minister of Justice Constanze Geiert said.

Liebich’s ‌legal gender change has drawn controversy regarding prison assignments in Germany.

Marla-Svenja Liebich is escorted by Czech prison service to court on May 18. Photo: AFP

⁠She was ⁠sentenced while legally a male in 2023, and was handed an 18-month prison term for offences including incitement to hatred, insult, trespass and defamation.