At the same time, around 20 objects were searched, as the Karlsruhe authorities announced on Tuesday. Searches also took place in Austria. The premises of “non-suspect people” in Vienna and the Krems-Land district were affected, it was said. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office accuses the accused of belonging to the “Saxon Separatists”.
“Apocalyptic ideas”
Six of the men were taken into custody. It is unclear when the remaining two men will be brought before the investigating judge. According to the Karlsruhe authorities, one could not be brought to Karlsruhe due to an injury, the other is still in Poland, where he was arrested.
The group was founded in November 2020 at the latest. “This is a militant group consisting of fifteen to twenty people whose ideology is shaped by racist, anti-Semitic and in some cases apocalyptic ideas,” the statement says. “Its members share a deep rejection of the free-democratic basic order of the Federal Republic of Germany.”
Germany on the verge of collapse?
According to the information, the association assumes that Germany is facing a “collapse”. If the state and society collapse, the group wants to use armed force to conquer areas in Saxony and possibly also in other East German countries “in order to establish a state and society there that is aligned with National Socialism,” it said. “Unwanted groups of people should be removed from the area through ethnic cleansing if necessary.”
Four of those arrested are said to have been among the original members and one is said to have been a leader. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the others joined later. They repeatedly completed paramilitary training with combat equipment. “In particular, urban warfare, the use of firearms, night marches and forced marches as well as patrols were practiced,” the statement says. The group also acquired military equipment such as camouflage suits, combat helmets, gas masks and protective vests. They were 21 to 25 years old.
Administrative assistance in Austria
The measures in Austria were implemented by the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN). Upon request, the Interior Ministry in Vienna confirmed that Austrian authorities had provided administrative assistance at Germany’s request. A spokesman emphasized that this is also a sign of close and good cooperation. The German authorities are conducting the investigation. According to information from the German news magazine “Spiegel” (online), those arrested include the brothers Jörg and Jörn S., who are said to belong to the family of a well-known Austrian right-wing extremist. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, Jörg S. was arrested in Zgorzelec, the Polish sister city of Görlitz in Saxony.
The Berlin daily newspaper “taz” reported online that Jörg S. was said to have been the ringleader of the group. According to “taz”, his grandfather is said to be a former FPÖ politician and his father is an Austrian right-wing extremist who has been convicted several times. Two other brothers were searched, but no arrests were made, the report said. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Karlsruhe did not officially confirm this information.
AfD politicians among those arrested
According to consistent information, a local AfD politician is among those arrested. Accordingly, it is a local politician from Saxony who is also a member of the Junge Alternative Sachsen. The Saxon AfD regional association rejected any substantive or organizational connection to the group. “Our party stands firmly on the basis of the free-democratic basic order. We have nothing in common with such a presumably neo-Nazi ‘separatist group’ in terms of content or organization,” said party spokesman Andreas Harlaß to the German Press Agency. If the allegations against the man are confirmed, a spokesman for the federal party said when asked that he would be immediately expelled from the party.
The AfD chairman Tino Chrupalla also expressly distanced himself. If the allegations are confirmed, such people “have no place in either the JA (Young Alternative, note) or the AfD,” emphasized Chrupalla in Berlin.
Threatened police officers with a weapon?
According to information from security circles that has not yet been officially confirmed, the local politician appeared in front of the police officers with a long gun during the early morning raid. A police officer then fired two warning shots, it was said. The accused suffered a broken jaw and is currently undergoing surgery. Witness interviews will clarify how the injury occurred and further details about the incident.
In addition to the eight German men arrested, there are reportedly seven other suspects who are at large. “It is a great success that the Federal Prosecutor General and the security authorities managed to uncover these outrageous plans and arrest those responsible,” said German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann. At the same time, this success of the investigation once again serves as a warning: “Our constitutional state and the free-democratic basic order are threatened from many sides.”
“The fact that they were trained to handle weapons and procured military equipment shows how dangerous these right-wing extremists are,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. She referred to the early clarification of the group by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
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**Interview with Dr. Anna Müller, Political Scientist specializing in Extremism**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Müller. We’ve just learned about the arrest of eight suspected members of a far-right militant group in Germany, known as the “Saxon Separatists.” What can you tell us about the implications of this arrest?
**Dr. Müller:** Thank you for having me. This situation is indeed alarming. The group is reportedly espousing a mix of anti-Semitic, racist, and apocalyptic ideologies, with a dangerous belief that they need to prepare for a societal collapse. The notion that they would use armed force to establish a new regime aligned with National Socialism is concerning not just from a historical standpoint, but also in terms of current social stability.
**Interviewer:** It seems that some of those arrested are quite young, aged between 21 and 25. What do you think is driving youth involvement in such extremist groups?
**Dr. Müller:** Youth involvement in extremist organizations often stems from a combination of social alienation, identity crises, and the allure of a community that provides a sense of belonging. These groups frequently tap into fears regarding changes in society and politics, presenting themselves as a solution to perceived threats. The fact that some members are very young suggests that these extremist narratives can be particularly persuasive for those who are still searching for their identities.
**Interviewer:** The arrests also included a local politician associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD). How do you think this affects the political landscape in Germany?
**Dr. Müller:** The involvement of a politician from the AfD is significant and potentially damaging for the party’s image. The AfD has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding its links to far-right extremism, and this incident could fuel further controversy. While the party leadership has distanced itself from the arrests, the public perception and media narratives can be quite powerful. If the allegations are confirmed, we could see internal pressure for reforms within the party to address radical elements in their ranks.
**Interviewer:** Authorities also mentioned that the group was involved in paramilitary training. What does this mean for domestic security?
**Dr. Müller:** The fact that they were engaged in paramilitary activities poses serious risks to both public safety and national security. It highlights an escalation in the tactics employed by far-right groups. Rather than simply spreading ideology, they are actively preparing for violent action. This underlines the need for robust monitoring and intervention strategies by security services to mitigate these threats before they escalate into violence.
**Interviewer:** Given this situation, what steps should be taken at a societal level to counteract such extremist movements?
**Dr. Müller:** It’s essential for society to engage in preventive measures that include education and awareness-raising about the dangers of extremist ideologies. Promoting inclusivity and dialogue, particularly in communities vulnerable to radicalization, can help counteract the narratives pushed by such groups. Furthermore, institutions must enhance communication and cooperation among different levels of law enforcement and social services to identify and assist individuals who may be on the path to radicalization.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Müller. Your insights are invaluable in understanding the complexities surrounding this troubling issue.
**Dr. Müller:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to have these discussions and work toward a safer, more inclusive society.