German court rejects bias claim in neo-Nazi trial

High-profile trial of Beate Zschaepe expected to last over a year

The undated file photo provided by German federal criminal investigation office BKA in December 2011, shows terror suspect Beate Zschaepe after her arrest. (photo credit: AP Photo/BKA, File)
The undated file photo provided by German federal criminal investigation office BKA in December 2011, shows terror suspect Beate Zschaepe after her arrest. (photo credit: AP Photo/BKA, File)

BERLIN (AP) — Lawyers for the main defendant in Germany’s highest-profile neo-Nazi trial in decades have failed in a bid to replace the presiding judge.

German news agency dpa reported Friday the Munich court has dismissed a motion which claimed Manfred Goetzl was biased.

Prosecutors have accused 38-year-old Beate Zschaepe of murder for alleged complicity in the killing of eight Turks, a Greek and a policewoman between 2000 and 2007.

She is also accused of involvement in at least two bombings and 15 bank robberies allegedly carried out by her accomplices, Uwe Mundlos and Uwe Boenhardt. The two men died in an apparent murder-suicide in November 2011.

The trial against Zschaepe and four men accused of aiding the group in various ways began Monday.

It is expected to last over a year.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press

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