German neo-Nazi trial begins in Munich

MUNICH (AP) — The trial of five Germans alleged to have been part of a neo-Nazi terror campaign against immigrants begins Monday in Munich.

The main defendant is 38-year-old Beate Zschaepe. Prosecutors accuse her of complicity in the murder of eight Turks, a Greek and a policewoman between 2000 and 2007. Her lawyer has contested the charges.

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

Four male defendants are accused of assisting the self-styled National Socialist Underground in various ways.

The trial has raised questions about German authorities’ inability to prevent the crimes and the apparent readiness with which police initially dismissed a far-right motive.