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Melanie Müller Drops Appeal in Hitler Salute Case, January Verdict to Stand

She says she is stepping back to protect her children.

Overview

  • Announcing the move in a Monday Instagram post, Müller said she will not pursue the planned revision and will focus on her family.
  • With the appeal withdrawn, the January 12, 2026 judgment by the Leipzig regional court becomes final.
  • The court convicted her of using symbols of unconstitutional organizations and drug possession, imposing 70 day-fines of €50 (€3,500), far below an earlier €80,000 first-instance penalty after her income was reassessed.
  • Courts in both instances found she repeatedly made the Hitler salute during a September 2022 concert in Leipzig.
  • Müller maintains she had no extremist intent, and her lawyer says the arm movement was a crowd-rousing gesture tied to the chant “Zicke Zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi.”