A police operation in Germany led to the arrest of eight individuals suspected of being part of the right-wing extremist group “Saxon Separatists.” The group, linked to racism and anti-Semitism, allegedly plans to use armed force to establish a National Socialist regime. Raids were conducted in Germany and Austria, with one suspect injured during a confrontation. Investigations are ongoing, and security officials are commended for disrupting these dangerous activities amid rising extremist threats.
Police Crackdown on Right-Wing Extremism in Germany
On Tuesday morning, law enforcement officials detained eight German nationals, with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office accusing them of involvement in a right-wing extremist terrorist organization. The press release highlighted that these individuals fundamentally reject the liberal-democratic principles upheld by the Federal Republic of Germany.
The arrests occurred at multiple locations around Leipzig and Dresden, as well as in the district of Meissen. Additionally, a suspect was apprehended in Zgorzelec, Poland.
Investigative Actions and Group Ideology
Simultaneously, authorities executed 20 search warrants, including operations in Vienna and Krems-Land, Austria. These investigations are focused on seven additional suspects.
The accused are reportedly linked to an organization known as the “Saxon Separatists,” established no later than November 2020. This militant group, comprising 15 to 20 members, espouses ideologies marked by racism, anti-Semitism, and apocalyptic beliefs, according to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Among those arrested, the oldest individual is 25 years old, and one suspect has been identified as a local politician affiliated with the AfD party in Saxony, who also holds membership in the Young Alternative Saxony.
In a dramatic turn during the raids, a suspect allegedly confronted police with a firearm, prompting an officer to discharge two warning shots. The suspect sustained a jaw fracture and is currently undergoing surgery. Investigations are ongoing to clarify the circumstances surrounding the injury.
Reports suggest that two of the arrested individuals are brothers of a prominent Austrian right-wing extremist known for leading a neo-Nazi group in the 1990s and being part of a paramilitary organization.
The “Saxon Separatists” believe that Germany is teetering on the brink of “collapse,” planning to utilize armed force on a yet-to-be-specified “Day X” to seize territories in Saxony and other eastern German states to establish a regime aligned with National Socialism. Their agenda includes the potential ethnic cleansing of undesirable groups.
The group has reportedly engaged in paramilitary training, which includes urban combat techniques, weapon handling, and night operations. They have also acquired military-grade equipment.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has collaborated closely with the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution during these investigations. More than 450 security personnel were involved in the arrests and searches conducted in Germany on Tuesday.
German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann commended the security forces for uncovering these alarming plans, calling it a significant achievement. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the severity of the situation, noting the group’s military training activities and acquisition of weapons as indicators of their dangerous nature.
The arrested individuals are expected to be presented to the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice, who will oversee the issuance of arrest warrants and determine the conditions for pre-trial detention.