Lawyer for Holocaust-denying bishop appeals fine

The lawyer for an ultraconservative British bishop Richard Williamson who was fined ($16,822) in Germany for denying the Holocaust is appealing the fine.

Matthias Lossmann said Tuesday that he "objected to the fine, which means there will be a trial."

A spokesman for the Regensburg court that issued the fine, Thomas Koch, said the court is currently examining the appeal, a routine procedure.

The court last month issued an order of punishment against Williamson for incitement in connection with his Holocaust denial in an interview with Swedish television - conducted in Germany.

An order of punishment is a German legal tool that does not involve trial but is equivalent to a conviction if accepted by the defendant.