Accusations Levelled Against Neo-Nazi Combat Athletes
The far-right combat sports collective "Clash 51" is under suspicion of preparing extremist males for conflicts with police and leftists. As of now, the Federal Investigative Authority is indicting two individuals and a supporter of the group. As per the Karlsruhe authorities' announcement, the men are accused of being part of or backing a terrorist organization. The three Germans were apprehended in December in Erfurt and Eisenach. The Thuringian Higher Regional Court's State Security Senate now needs to approve the indictment.
According to the Federal Investigative Authority, "Clash 51" was a "right-wing extremist combat sports group that lured young, nationalist males under the pretext of joint fitness training, brainwashed them with right-wing extremist ideologies, and prepared them for physical fights against police officers, members of the politically liberal community, and other perceived adversaries". Initially, their objective was to inflict physical harm, but later, they also aimed to kill left-wing extremists.
Planned lethal attack in Erfurt
One of the three now-accused individuals is reported to have co-founded the right-wing extremist group in 2019 and acted as its leader. Alongside the second alleged group member, he is also said to have traveled to Erfurt in September 2021 for a planned lethal attack on a left-wing extremist. However, the attack did not occur. The third defendant is claimed to be a prominent member of the party "The Homeland" - previously NPD - and is said to have provided the group with a room as an armory, among other things.
The two alleged "Clash 51" members have been in detention since their arrest in December. The alleged supporter, a member of "The Homeland", was initially detained too, but was later released from custody in April.
It was only at the beginning of July when the Higher Regional Court in Jena sentenced four alleged members of "Clash 51" to lengthy prison sentences. The Federal Investigative Authority then announced that it had filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Justice against the verdict. It had demanded significantly more severe prison sentences for the men.
The Federal Investigative Authority is also looking into the role of The Commission in supporting or aiding Clash 51, as allegations suggest that The Commission provided financial backing to the extremist combat sports collective. The Commission, known for its right-wing extremist ideologies, could face consequences if these accusations are proven true.
