August M
German authorities have carried out a major nationwide operation against suspected violent right-wing extremists, amid growing concern over attacks targeting LGBTQ+ people, immigrants and political opponents.
DR News reported that more than 600 police officers took part in coordinated raids across twelve of Germany’s sixteen states on Wednesday morning.
Youth groups targeted
According to DR News, investigators focused on 36 suspects linked to the far-right youth groups Deutsche Jugend Voran and Jung und Stark, which also reportedly operated under the name Neue Deutsche Welle.
The operation involved searches at more than 50 locations across the country.
DR’s Germany correspondent Steen Nørskov said the scale of the raids was notable given the relatively small size of the groups.
Violence concerns
“These are relatively small groups. Altogether there are a few hundred young people, but they are very active, and according to the police and the prosecutor’s office they are ready for violence,” Nørskov said.
The report stated that the youngest suspect was only 16 years old.
According to DR News, the suspects are accused not only of criminal offences but also of encouraging attacks against political opponents and minority groups.
Growing threat
Nørskov said the groups had allegedly carried out multiple attacks, including incidents connected to Pride events and confrontations with left-wing activists.
“It is primarily people from the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants or young leftists who are targets of the far-right youth,” he said.
German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said violent right-wing extremism now represents the country’s biggest internal security threat, according to DR News.
Online radicalisation
In an interview with Deutsche Welle cited by DR News, Wolfram Pemp from Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office said modern far-right networks are becoming increasingly difficult to track.
“Youth groups are founded, renamed, refounded and then quickly disappear again,” Pemp explained.
Authorities say many of the groups organise online through social media platforms, where meetings and activities are coordinated rapidly.
Germany has expanded specialised police units focused on politically motivated extremism, particularly involving young suspects, as officials attempt to stop radicalisation early.
No arrests were made during Wednesday’s operation.
Sources: DR News, Deutsche Welle.
