Neo-Nazi’s Shocking Gender Switch to Serve Time in Women’s Prison
A German neo-Nazi, now legally identified as female under new gender laws, will serve an 18-month sentence in a women’s prison, raising concerns about safety and the application of self-identification policies. The individual’s history of far-right extremism and provocative acts has intensified scrutiny over the decision.
A convicted German neo-Nazi, Sven Liebich, now legally recognized as Marla-Svenja, will serve an 18-month sentence in Chemnitz women’s prison in Saxony, leveraging Germany’s new gender self-identification law effective November 2024. The 53-year-old, a prominent figure in Germany’s far-right since the 1990s, was sentenced in July 2023 for offenses including slander, incitement to hatred, and assault. After a failed final appeal, Liebich, who transitioned his legal gender from male to female, will be housed in a women’s facility based on his registered gender, as confirmed by prison officials.
Liebich rose to prominence as an organizer for the Saxony-Anhalt branch of Blood and Honour, an international neo-Nazi network. Operating from Halle, he ran a mail-order business selling far-right rock music and merchandise, later founding “Halle Leaks,” a blog notorious for spreading conspiracy theories and attacking mainstream media as “Lügenpresse” (lying press). Often seen wearing Nazi-style armbands labeled “Sicherheits-Abteilung,” a nod to Hitler’s SA stormtroopers, Liebich’s criminal record includes multiple convictions for incitement, defamation, and assault. His provocative acts include selling baseball bats marketed as “deportation aids” and distributing Star of David patches labeled “ungeimpft” (unvaccinated) during the COVID-19 pandemic, actions that drew widespread condemnation.
Under Germany’s gender self-identification law, prison placement aligns with legal gender, not biological sex. However, Saxony prosecutor Dennis Cernota stated, “If it is decided that Liebich poses a threat to other inmates, or to law and order inside the prison, he may be transferred.” An interview upon Liebich’s arrival will assess whether his placement in the women’s facility is appropriate, reflecting concerns about his history of extremism and potential risks to other inmates. This case has sparked debate over the application of gender self-identification laws in correctional settings, highlighting tensions between legal rights and prison safety.