Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel, deported from Canada earlier this year, went on trial in Germany yesterday charged with inciting racial hatred and spreading Nazi and anti-Semitic propaganda. Mr. Zundel, 66, moved to Canada in 1959 at the age of 19 but was deported in March on a German arrest warrant. Denying the Holocaust is a criminal offence in Germany and Mr. Zundel, pictured, faces up to five years in prison if found guilty. He is charged with broadcasting his views through the Internet and has claimed Israel invented the Holocaust as a way of forcing Germany to pay compensation. Mr. Zundel, who once described Adolf Hitler as a "peaceful man," denies the charges and says he will defend his right to free speech.

© National Post 2005