Far-right politician in Germany quits post and converts to Islam

A politician in the far-rightAlternative for Germany (AfD), known for its anti-Muslimrhetoric, has resigned from its board and converted to Islam,the party said on Wednesday.

But while Arthur Wagner quit his AfD leadership post in theeastern state of Brandenburg, he remained a member of the party,which says Islam is incompatible with Germany's constitution, andwants a ban on minarets and the face-covering burqa.

The AfD became Germany's third largest party in parliamentafter last September's general election.

Earlier this month, an AfD lawmaker caused a furorafteraccusing police of "appeasing the barbaric, Muslim, rapist hordes of men" by tweeting in Arabic.

The party said it stood for the constitutional right ofreligious freedom, regardless of Wagner's conversion.

"Mr. Wagner could also choose another religion," DanielFriese, a spokesperson of the party, told Berliner Zeitung, noting that Wagner had resigned from the board two weeks ago.

"Mr. Wagner resigned on Jan.11 from the state board onhis own volition. Only afterwards was it known that he had converted to Islam," Friese told Reuters.

Wagner declined to comment on his conversion.

"He does notwant to speak with the press. He believes it is a private affair," the party spokesperson said.