Online connectivity ------------ Connect to the web - Police Conduct Raid Over Hate Postings in Bavaria
In a significant move to combat hate on the internet, police in Bavaria have conducted massive operations, searching 12 buildings and investigating 13 individuals. The individuals, who range in age from 19 to 81, have been accused of crimes like using symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations, insults, slander, and public incitement to violence. Six of these suspects are said to be from Munich and its surrounding areas.
These actions were taken as part of a nationwide day to tackle hate on the internet, focusing on offenses like utilization of symbols from unconstitutional or terrorist groups, insults, slander, and inciting crime in the public. These incidents are becoming increasingly common, as the crimes related to the Middle Eastern conflict increased from 61 to 4369 across Germany last year, a staggering 70-fold increase, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office's statistics on politically motivated crimes.
Speaking about this issue, Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich (CSU) stated, "The terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and the unlawful war of aggression by Russia on Ukraine have given hate crime a new home." He added that would-be offenders are increasingly radicalized through the internet and engage in criminal activities both online and offline.
On the same day, authorities in Germany conducted searches in 70 apartments as the Federal Criminal Police Office coordinates the efforts to combat various forms of hate speech. The main focus of this operation is right-wing politically-motivated crimes.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) commented on the crackdown from Berlin, stating, "We need to put a stop to the cycle of hate and violence. The hatred spread on the internet fuels violence." She underlined the importance of collaboration between the Federal Criminal Police Office and state-level law enforcement agencies to combat the escalating problem of hate crimes. Today, more than 130 actions across Germany showcase this unyielding approach, said the minister.
