A tourist from the United States was punched by a passersby for doing the Nazi salute multiple times in Dresden, Germany.
As reported by the Associated Press , the 41-year-old American was drunk when he made the offensive gesture, having registered a blood alcohol level of 0.276 following a sobriety test administered on him by the German police. The tourist, whose name was withheld for purposes of privacy, has suffered minor injuries. The assailant, who fled the scene immediately after the attack, is being sought by the police for questioning.
The American is now under investigation for violating German laws against the display of Nazi symbols and slogans.
It was later revealed that he is also under investigation for alleged use of insignia of unconstitutional organizations, including Nazi symbols.
According to German law, the Nazi salute can only be used for teaching or historical research. Some allowances can be made for documentaries and films.
The incident in Dresden, Germany, happened a week after two Chinese tourists were taken into custody for mimicking the Nazi salute while taking a selfie in front of Berlin’s Reichstag building. Completed in 1894, the Reichstag is a famous landmark in Berlin not just for its architecture but also for its historical significance as the seat of the newly formed Germany’s parliament. In 1933, the building was destroyed by fire under circumstances still being contested today. After undergoing several renovations through the years, the Reichstag was restored to its former glory in 1999, along with the inclusion of the famous glass dome designed by British architect Norman Foster. Police officers and countless surveillance cameras monitor the building round the clock.
In Germany, it’s illegal to make a Nazi salute. Two Chinese tourists learned this the hard way. https://t.co/VVNPK753Qb
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 6, 2017
The two Chinese nationals were soon released after posting bail of $500 each. Their trouble, however, is far from over as they are facing potential charges that would put them in jail for up to three years.
An American tourist gave the Nazi salute in Germany — so a stranger beat him up, police say https://t.co/0xlLnfdqgo
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 13, 2017
Despite Germany’s rule against the Nazi salute, a good number of people — both tourists and locals alike — are getting caught doing the gesture on a regular basis. Most are done in jest, but there have been many instances that involved those who share Adolf Hitler’s fascist ideology.
In 2016, about 143 Nazi-related incidents were reported. This year, 53 have been reported so far.
Meanwhile, on Friday in Charlottesville, a group of white supremacists and Neo-Nazis marched through the University of Virginia, blazing torches in hand, to shout “White Lives Matter” repeatedly, the Washington Post reports. The rally was organized to protest against the removal of Confederate monuments and culture within the city.
[Featured Image by Steffi Loos/Getty Images]
