Berlin, Germany – Police officers executed a search warrant on the apartment of American author and satirist C.J. Hopkins on Thursday, November 27, amidst ongoing criminal proceedings in Germany. The action follows authorities pursuing charges against Hopkins for publishing a book that draws comparisons between the country's COVID-19 response and actions taken by the Nazi regime. The incident was reported by Nico Perrino on X, who stated, "Not content to prosecute him for his tweets, Germany is now pursuing criminal charges against him for publishing a book comparing the country's Covid response to actions taken by the Nazis." Hopkins, an American playwright and novelist who moved to Germany in 2004, faces charges under Article 86a of the German criminal code. This law prohibits the dissemination of propaganda intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization. The charges stem from his book, "The Rise of the New Normal Reich," and associated social media posts featuring a satirical image of a swastika behind a medical mask. The legal battle has seen several turns, with Hopkins initially found guilty in a simplified proceeding, leading to a fine or jail time. He appealed this decision and was acquitted by a local district court in January 2024. However, the prosecutor subsequently appealed the acquittal, and the Berlin Appellate Court overturned the decision on September 30, 2024, effectively declaring Hopkins a "hate-speech criminal" and sending the case back for sentencing. Hopkins maintains that his work is a critique of contemporary authoritarianism, not an endorsement of Nazism, arguing he is being punished for dissent. "I am accused by the German authorities of spreading pro-Nazi propaganda," Hopkins stated previously, emphasizing his long history of speaking out against fascism. Critics of the prosecution, including James Kirchick of FIRE, suggest that prosecuting a writer for calling policies fascistic inadvertently validates the criticism. The recent search warrant indicates a further escalation in the legal actions against Hopkins. While the case has garnered significant attention internationally, particularly regarding free speech concerns, it has been notably absent from mainstream German press coverage. The ongoing proceedings highlight the tension between Germany's strict laws against Nazi symbolism and expressions of political satire.