BERLIN The leader of Germany's Jewish community on Saturday criticized a Constitutional Court decision that will allow neo-Nazi groups to hold two marches during the Easter weekend.

Paul Spiegel, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said he regretted the court's decision to overturn a lower court ruling banning the marches because they would send the wrong message about Germany abroad.

"The right to demonstrate is a freedom that is part of democracy," Spiegel told German Radio. "But it is doubtful whether right-wing radicals should be given the chance on such a holiday weekend to present themselves to the public."

Two right-wing groups won backing from the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe on Friday to hold their marches in the western town of Ennepetal on Saturday and Hagen on Easter Monday. Local police had initially banned the marches on grounds that there was a risk to public safety.

Between 100 and 200 are registered to demonstrate in Hagen, where the rally will be led by Hamburg far-right leader Christian Worch.

At at similar rally in Hagen in February police arrested several neo-Nazis for shouting "Heil Hitler" and other pro-Nazi slogans outlawed in Germany.

Police are expecting counter demonstrations of several thousand people from church groups and unions.

Spiegel said he was also concerned about the damage the demonstrators would do to Germany's image abroad.

"We know all to well the way these pictures (of right-wing demonstrators) portray Germany abroad," he said.

(Reuter)