German prosecutors have dropped charges against students over racist and antisemitic graduation slogans after public outrage.

The controversial case surrounding offensive graduation mottos proposed by students at Liebig School in Gießen, Germany, has officially been closed. The slogans, including ‘NSDABI – Burn the Dictionary’ and ‘Abi macht frei’—a disturbing play on the Nazi-era phrase ‘Arbeit macht frei’—sparked nationwide outrage in 2025. Other suggestions, such as ‘Abi Akbar – Explosive Through Graduation,’ a distortion of the Islamic prayer call ‘Allahu Akbar,’ further fueled accusations of racism and antisemitism.

The incident began when students anonymously submitted motto ideas on an online portal. Some of the offensive slogans reportedly received significant votes, leading to public condemnation. The Hessian Minister of Education, Armin Schwarz, expressed shock, stating the incident would be thoroughly addressed by the school. The Liebig School leadership distanced itself from the proposals, convening the graduating class to denounce the mottos and reaffirm democratic values.

Following the uproar, police launched an investigation into potential incitement of hatred. However, the Gießen public prosecutor’s office has now closed the case against five students under Section 45(2) of the Juvenile Court Act, which allows for alternative educational measures. These measures typically include community service, social training, or reconciliation efforts between offenders and victims.

As part of their punishment, the five students must engage in detailed research on the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime and the Islamic State. They are required to submit written reflections on their findings, overseen by youth welfare services. Additionally, they must complete 30 to 60 hours of community service. The school also imposed its own disciplinary action, barring the students from attending their graduation ceremony.

The incident has reignited discussions about the role of education in combating extremism and fostering tolerance. While the case is now legally resolved, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance against hate speech and the need for proactive measures in schools to address such issues. The Liebig School has pledged to continue working on fostering inclusivity and democratic values among its students.