In a coordinated effort across several German states, authorities have arrested five individuals, aged between 14 and 18, suspected of being members or supporters of a right-wing extremist terror group known as 'Letzte Verteidigungswelle' (Last Defense Wave). The group is accused of planning arson attacks on asylum seeker accommodations and left-wing institutions with the aim of destabilizing Germany's democratic system.
The arrests, including two in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and one in Mittelhessen, were part of a broader operation that saw raids in five federal states. Evidence such as computer equipment, mobile phones, empty weapon magazines, and items possibly containing explosives were seized during the searches. The Federal Prosecutor's Office has emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, highlighting the group's self-proclaimed role as the last line of defense for the 'German Nation'.
Hessen's Interior Minister Roman Poseck has labeled right-wing extremism as the most significant threat to Germany's security and democracy, pointing to a sharp rise in politically motivated crimes. The minister's comments come in the wake of the arrests, underscoring the concerning trend of young individuals being drawn into extremist ideologies and structures.
The operations against the 'Letzte Verteidigungswelle' underscore the ongoing challenges Germany faces in combating right-wing extremism. With the suspects now in custody, the focus turns to the legal proceedings that will follow, as authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the group's activities and networks.