Germany: Bishop Williamson will be tried on 16 April

A spokesman of the court of Ratisbonne announced on 27 January that Bishop Richard Williamson will be tried on 16 April 2010 in Germany. According to France Presse, an official demand for his appearance has been sent to the British bishop’s residence in London.

The proceedings brought against Bishop Williamson are for “incitement of racial hatred”, after the words he spoke in Ratisbonne about the Holocaust and which were broadcasted on the Swedish television channel SVT on 21 January 2009. The bishop disputed the charges made against him and did not follow the simplified procedure which would have enabled the case to come to a close after paying a fine of 12,000 Euros. The spokesman also specified on 9 November 2009 that the bishop was not required to be physically present at his trial, and that he could be represented by another. (DICI n°209 du 06/02/10 – Sources: AFP/sources privées)