A convicted neo-Nazi in Germany has submitted an application to be legally recognised as non-binary whilst evading authorities and a prison sentence.
Marla Svenja Liebich, 55, who was found guilty of slander and incitement to hatred, had already changed gender from male to female in late 2024 while awaiting sentencing.
The fugitive was scheduled to begin serving time at a women's prison in Chemnitz, Saxony in August but absconded before reporting.
Liebich told Euronews: "I want to separate my private life from my public persona. I no longer want to be Marla Svenja because others have ruined it for me. Being a woman no longer feels right. Because of all the hate and smear campaigns against me."
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Liebich has a lengthy history within Germany's extremist movement, having been a member of the outlawed Blood and Honour organisation, according to German media reports.
Prior to transitioning, the 55-year-old described LGBT individuals as "parasites of society" and caused disruption at a Pride march in Halle.
This prompted observers to suggest the sex change was either intended as a political statement mocking the legislation or a strategy to secure placement in a women's facility rather than a male prison.
Liebich also operated an online business selling merchandise popular among xenophobic groups, including a baseball bat branded with the phrase "deportation assistant".
Marla Svenja Liebich had already changed gender from male to female in 2024 while awaiting sentencing
|GETTY/LIVE REPORT LEIPZIG
After failing to surrender to authorities, Liebich shared an AI-generated image on social media accompanied by the message "love from Moscow" with the Russian capital visible in the background.
Germany's self-determination act, introduced in 2023 under the centre-left government of Olaf Scholz, permits citizens to alter their legal name and gender through a registry office without requiring medical evaluations or expert assessments.
The legislation allows individuals to change their registered gender up to twice annually and criminalises the deliberate use of incorrect pronouns.
Germany's incoming coalition government, headed by the conservative CDU/CSU, has committed to reviewing the law.
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The fugitive was scheduled to begin serving time at a women's prison in Chemnitz but absconded
|The Queer Nations campaign group said: "For transgender people, there is a risk that some of what trans activism has achieved over the past 15 years will be reversed."
Similar controversies have emerged elsewhere, including the case of Scottish rapist Isla Bryson, who transitioned while awaiting trial and was initially housed in a women's prison before being transferred following public outcry.
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