Charges against suspected right-wing extremists admitted

Extremism - Charges against suspected right-wing extremists admitted

The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court has allowed the indictment against four alleged ringleaders of the banned extremist group "Combat 18 Germany". Simultaneously, the case was referred to the Dortmund Regional Court. The Federal Prosecutor had charged the four men aged between 39 and 48 from Dortmund, Eisenach, Daun and Gießen.

The investigators accuse the defendants of continuing to lead the group despite the ban in October 2020. The 48-year-old is said to have organized at least 14 clandestine meetings. In another case, he conducted an investigation procedure with questions about National Socialism.

Moreover, Right-rock concerts were organized, and recordings and clothing items with reference to the group were produced. However, the association only had 20 members. The defendants' desire for a large and influential far-right movement ultimately bore no recognizable fruit. Therefore, the State Protection Senate of the Dortmund Regional Court is responsible.

In April 2022, more than 800 police officers carried out raids throughout Germany against several far-right groupings - among them "Combat 18". The Federal Prosecutor had evidence that the group continued to meet after the ban. Meanwhile, the authority has been investigating 21 alleged members of the association. In 17 cases, the proceedings were transferred to the competent state prosecutors in the summer of 2023.

1. The banned extremist group "Combat 18 Germany," whose leaders are currently facing indictment in Düsseldorf, has a notable history in various German cities, including Dortmund, Eisenach, and Daun.
2. Following the proceeding at the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, the case against the four alleged ringleaders was then forwarded to the Dortmund Regional Court for further examination.
3. The Office of the Attorney General in North Rhine-Westphalia, where Dortmund is located, has been closely monitoring right-wing extremists and their activities, including the group "Combat 18 Germany."
4. The 48-year-old defendant, based in Dortmund, is reportedly connected to at least 14 clandestine meetings and conducted an investigation procedure with questions about National Socialism.
5. In the city of Daun, one of the defendants was involved in organizing Right-rock concerts and producing recordings and clothing items with the extremist group's reference.
6. In a separate case of concern, the Higher Regional Court in Düsseldorf could potentially issue indictments against other individuals linked to "Combat 18 Germany" as part of an ongoing investigation into right-wing extremist crimes in various regions of Germany.

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