Key facts
- A Czech regional court ordered the extradition of Marla-Svenja Liebich to Germany.
- Liebich was convicted in Germany in 2023 to 18 months for offenses including incitement to hatred.
- Liebich legally changed gender in 2024 and petitioned to serve sentence in a women's prison.
- Liebich fled Germany before reporting to prison and was apprehended in the Czech Republic.
- Liebich has three days to appeal the extradition ruling.
A regional court in the Czech Republic has ruled that Marla-Svenja Liebich, a transgender neo-Nazi fugitive convicted in Germany, can be extradited. Liebich, previously known as Sven Liebich, was convicted in 2023 to 18 months in prison for offenses including incitement to hatred, insult, trespass, and defamation. In 2024, after Germany's Self-Determination Act came into force, Liebich legally changed gender and petitioned to serve the sentence in a women's prison, a move that was approved by a German court. This decision sparked significant public debate and criticism, with some alleging tactical misuse of the law. German Interior Minister Aleksander Dobrindt slammed the case as evidence of potential abuse. Liebich failed to report to prison and fled the country. The 56-year-old was apprehended by Czech police earlier this year and placed in pre-trial custody. During an initial hearing, Liebich reportedly opposed extradition, fearing placement in a men's prison. The spokesperson for the regional court stated that Liebich has three days to appeal the extradition order, after which German authorities are expected to take custody within ten days.