Convicted neo-Nazi now in women’s prison after gender change under new German self-ID law
A notorious neo-Nazi jailed for hate speech is now serving time in a women’s prison after changing gender under a new self-identification law.
Sven Liebich, 50, legally changed name and gender to Marla-Svenja after sentenced to 18 months behind bars for inciting hatred, defamation and public insult in August 2024 in Germany.
The Justice Ministry in Saxony told German news outlet BILD the inmate “must be admitted” in line with their new gender identity.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Liebich now has to report to the Women’s prison in Chemnitz.
The controversial transfer was enabled by Germany’s new Self-Determination Act, which took effect in November 2024.
The law allows individuals aged 14 and over to legally change their name and gender with a simple declaration at the registry office without any medical assessments, hormone therapy or surgery required.
The Self-Determination Act aims to make the process easier for transgender and intersex individuals by removing previous requirements such as psychiatric evaluations and family court approval.
The old system was criticised by many affected individuals as intrusive and degrading.
But now, there is neither a plausibility check nor a counselling requirement.
Critics are calling it a legal loophole, noting Liebich had previously mocked gender diversity and “woke” policies.
One viral quote shows Liebich attacking “gender idiocy” — yet now benefits from the very legislation he opposed.
Prosecutors confirmed Liebich had changed gender and relocated to Saxony, thereby placing legal responsibility for their imprisonment with the state.
Liebich will now serve time in the same prison as convicted NSU terrorist Beate Zschäpe, a German far-right extremist and a member of the National Socialist Underground (NSU), a neo-Nazi terrorist organisation.
The prison will decide where exactly Liebich is housed, including any safety or isolation measures.
The justice department has not commented on whether Marla-Svenja will be placed in a shared cell.
Under German law, prisons must recognise official gender status and cannot override identity by personal history.
Initially, authorities had planned to place the inmate in a men’s facility, but the legal gender update forced a reversal.
Originally published on 7NEWS
