Activists serve far-right AfD members swastika-shaped vegan mince

A swastika made out of vegan mince and gherkins was served to members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Saturday in an unusual prank by left-wing activists. 

Ahead of a conference of the anti-immigrant party's chapter in the south-western German state of Baden-Württemberg, delegates staying at a hotel in Heidenheim were disrupted over breakfast. 

Police said a person on the left of the political spectrum checked into the hotel and placed a “swastika-shaped formation made of minced meat” on the buffet table.

The swastika, the symbol of Adolf Hitler's Nazi movement, is strictly banned in Germany. 

Following the incident, investigators are probing the use of unconstitutional and terrorist symbols, police said.

However, the organizers of the protest said they do not regard the act as a criminal offence, as the message effectively contextualizes the swastika.

The protest was reportedly organized by the Centre for Political Beauty, a network of activists known to have been behind previous pranks targeting the AfD. 

The lead activist, who wished to remain anonymous, described the action to dpa as an “artistic intervention.”

According to the activists, the artwork consisted of 1.2 kilograms of vegan mince. After setting up the installation, some of those involved were allegedly threatened by AfD politicians.

The stunt caused outrage among the AfD leadership. State chairman Emil Sänze called the incident a "disgrace" and blamed "Antifa people." 

"This is what the republic has come to," said Sänze, adding that the left-wing activists should “perhaps try working for a change” instead of just holding demonstrations.

Further protests were held outside the site of the party conference against the AfD, Germany's largest opposition party, which is under investigation by domestic intelligence services for its extremist views.