In brief
Marla-Svenja Liebich, a convicted German transgender far-right extremist, was arrested in the Czech Republic where she was hiding after failing to report to a prison term in Germany. Liebich's background includes membership in a neo-Nazi group and a court sentence for incitement to hatred. Speculation surrounds her gender transition, leading to accusations of possible abuse of transgender rights laws in Germany. Currently, she is in custody, facing extradition.
A convicted German transgender right-wing extremist, who has been on the run for months, has been arrested in the Czech Republic. Liebich was arrested on the basis of a European arrest warrant in Krásná, located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Prague.In August 2025, Marla-Svenja Liebich, formerly known as Sven, failed to appear at the prison in Chemnitz, Germany, where she was to serve an 18-month sentence. German media reports indicate that Liebich was previously a member of the neo-Nazi group Blood and Honour.In July 2023, Liebich was sentenced to a total of one year and six months in prison without parole for extreme right incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult, but appealed the decision unsuccessfully.At the end of 2024, Liebich had her gender entry in official records changed from male to female and changed her first name. This change was based on Germany's Self-Determination Act, which allowed individuals to declare their gender identity more easily. However, doubts have been raised regarding the seriousness of her transition, with German Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accusing her of abusing the new law.At the time of her arrest, reports indicated that Liebich was wearing men's clothing and had a shaved head. Following a brief attempt to evade capture, she was detained and is now expected to be extradited to Germany.
