A local branch of the far-right AfD holds a controversial meeting with extremists in Neumuenster

HAMBURG, Jul 20 (DPA/EP) –

A regional branch of the German far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has held a controversial meeting in the northern city of Neumuenster with several organisations considered “extremist” by the government.

Around 100 people attended the event organised by the AfD branch for the state of Schleswig-Holstein, despite pressure from around 200 demonstrators from other German political forces.

The State Ministry of the Interior has identified among the participants representatives of organisations declared by the German authorities to be “contrary” to the country’s fundamental laws.

AfD sources have not commented on the matter beyond confirming that the party has rescinded an invitation to the magazine Compact, which was recently banned by the country’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.