Alternative for Germany challenges right-wing extremist label in court

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) after the agency classified the party as a "right-wing extremist organisation."

Daniel Tapp, spokesman for AfD leader Alice Weidel, confirmed that the legal action was taken in response to the BfV's decision, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The case has been filed with the Administrative Court of Cologne, the location of Germany’s counterintelligence agency headquarters. 

AfD's legal team had previously demanded that the BfV retract its classification by 8:00 (GMT+2) on May 5, warning of a lawsuit if the agency did not amend its decision. However, when the counterintelligence agency did not respond to the request, AfD chose to move forward with legal proceedings.

By Naila Huseynova