German authorities investigate banned extremist groups

right-wing extremism Artgemeinschaft Letzte Verteidigungswelle terrorist investigation German law enforcement

German authorities are conducting multiple investigations into right-wing extremist activities. The Halle Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating a potential breach of official secrets following searches across five federal states. This investigation follows raids targeting members of the banned Artgemeinschaft group, with suspicions that suspects were tipped off before police arrived. Fifteen individuals are currently being investigated for allegedly continuing the group's activities despite a nationwide ban.

Separately, the Federal Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against two German youths for their alleged involvement with the terrorist group 'Letzte Verteidigungswelle'. The suspects are accused of supporting a domestic terrorist organization and aiding in an attempted arson attack on an asylum seeker accommodation in Schmölln in January 2025. The group reportedly attempted to use pyrotechnics to start a fire after breaking a window, though no fire broke out. The charges include attempted murder and attempted arson.

Entities

AfD · Artgemeinschaft · Bundesanwaltschaft · Federal Prosecutor's Office · Germany · Halle Public Prosecutor's Office · Letzte Verteidigungswelle · Sebastian Koch · Simon Lansmann · Staatsanwaltschaft Halle

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Authorities suspect that individuals may have been warned in advance about upcoming police searches. berliner-abendblatt.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.rbb24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The suspects allegedly attempted to set fire to an asylum seeker accommodation in Schmölln in January 2025 using pyrotechnics. www.leinetal24.de · www.mopo.de · www.volksfreund.de · taz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Fifteen individuals are under investigation for allegedly continuing the activities of the banned Artgemeinschaft organization. berliner-abendblatt.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.rbb24.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Two youths are accused of supporting a domestic terrorist organization, the 'Letzte Verteidigungswelle'. www.leinetal24.de · www.mopo.de · www.volksfreund.de · taz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The Halle Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating a possible breach of official secrets following searches related to the banned Artgemeinschaft group. berliner-abendblatt.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.rbb24.de