In July 2023, Sven Liebich, a male, was sentenced by the Halle District Court in Saxony-Anhalt to one year and six months in prison for inciting hatred, defamation, and insult.

In late 2024, he took advantage of Germany's new Self-Determination Act, legally changing his name to Marla-Svenja Liebich and his gender to female.

Effective 1/11/2024, the Self-Determination Act replaced the 1980 Transsexuals Act. It allows anyone 14 or older to change their legal gender by simply submitting a self-declaration form to the registration office, without any medical or psychological certification or surgery. If they change their mind, they can submit another form a year later. This effectively allows German citizens to change their legal gender annually.

Marla-Svenja Liebich, formerly Sven, will serve time in a women's prison after declaring a new gender identity under the new policy. Photo: *Telegraph*

German media suggest Liebich, known for disruptive behavior, is exploiting the law's leniency to provoke and embarrass authorities.

In January, when Liebich's gender change became public, many media outlets reported he was unlikely to be housed in a women's prison. According to "prison tradition," anyone changing their gender solely for provocative purposes would still be treated as male. However, Liebich, now Marla, subsequently sued Der Spiegel for questioning her gender identity.

The chief prosecutor of Halle recently confirmed Marla will serve her sentence at the Chemnitz women's prison. Liebich later posted on X, with a photo, stating: "I will begin my prison sentence as scheduled. On 29/8/2025, at 10 p.m., I will arrive at Chemnitz correctional facility with my belongings."

Authorities state the exact cell assignment within the women's prison is undetermined. Prison management will assess whether Liebich poses a security threat and might be transferred to another facility.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt believes Germany should amend its prison laws to prevent cases like Liebich's, which he calls "a simple example of exploiting the Self-Determination Act."

Dobrindt told Stern magazine: "The judiciary, the public, and politicians are being made to look foolish here because the Self-Determination Act gives them the opportunity to do so."

Hai Thu (*EuroNews, France 24*)