Strike against neo-Nazis
Raid on suspected right-wing terrorists: 61 searches, four arrests, GSG9 in action
Combat boots of a neo-Nazi at a demonstration in Dortmund (archive image)
© Bernd Thissen / DPA
Officials are searching more than 60 objects belonging to suspected neo-Nazis, and the GSG9 is also on duty. A former Bundeswehr officer cadet is said to be among the four arrested.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has been searching dozens of apartments in Germany belonging to suspected right-wing extremists since early Wednesday morning. They are accused, among other things, of forming a terrorist cell. There were several arrests.
The Attorney General confirms that star a corresponding report by the “Spiegel”. The mission was “the largest action against right-wing extremists in Germany in one day,” it said.
Investigations against neo-Nazi groups
Accordingly, the raid is aimed in particular at suspected supporters of several right-wing extremist groups, including:
- “Knockout 51”: The right-wing extremist martial arts group is accused, among other things, of setting up a “Nazi neighborhood” in Eisenach in Thuringia and wanting to act there as a “regulatory force”.
- “Combat 18”: The banned association is considered a militant wing of the network “Blood & Honour”, which is also banned. The accused are said to have continued to recruit members despite the ban.
- “Nuclear Weapons Division”: The racist group is accused of wanting to overthrow the democratic social order in Germany. Their supporters are accused, among other things, of right-wing extremist propaganda and writing threatening letters. In the past, investigations were also carried out into specific attack plans.
According to the Attorney General, the investigations are being carried out, among other things, on suspicion of education, membership or support for terrorist or criminal organizations.
A total of more than 800 officers were involved in the raid, including the anti-terrorist unit GSG9. At least 61 objects were searched in eleven federal states. Four suspects are said to have been arrested. According to “Spiegel”, one of the accused is a former officer cadet in the Bundeswehr. The military counter-intelligence service is said to have observed the 26-year-old.
According to the information, the BKA special commission “Kern” has been investigating the alleged right-wing terrorists for years star-Information received from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, among others.
It is still unclear whether arrest warrants will be issued after the raid. The Federal Public Prosecutor announces further information for the course of the day.
Swell: “Mirror”Attorney General, DPA news agency