Foreman Pegida to court

dresden - Court in the German city of Dresden on Tuesday began a trial against Lutz Bachmann, leader of the anti-Islam movement Pegida. Justice accuses the 43-year-old of sedition.

According to the public prosecutor Bachmann made derogatory comments on Facebook in September 2014 on refugees and incited hatred against them. It involved taunts as' beasts', 'waste' and 'filthy mess. '

Pegida sympathizers cheered him to the courthouse and called on banners to 'Acquittal for Lutz Bachmann. Against Protesters, however, shouted slogans like 'Bachmann to jail.'

If convicted, he could receive a fine or imprisonment for up to five years.