Hate crime - Public prosecutor's office: hate and agitation on the rise
The Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office continues to record a significant increase in hate crimes. In the first six months of the current year, a total of 3587 proceedings were registered, as the Central Office for Hate Crimes reported in response to an inquiry. In more than half of the cases, it is about hate and incitement on the internet. A total of 1933 such cases were recorded.
Numbers continue to rise
The figures for the first half of the year are significantly above the total number of proceedings in the entire year 2023, explained the deputy head of the German Press Agency, Johannes Ploog, to the German Press Agency. However, the further development cannot be predicted. The prosecutor's office suspects that one reason for the increase is the general heating up of the social climate. At the same time, there is likely also a higher reporting rate.
In the previous year, the Central Office reportedly investigated a total of 5924 cases where people were attacked because of their religion, sexual orientation, or political work. That was around 2030 cases more than in the year 2022 (3890).
More than 2000 suspects identified by name
The investigations of the Central Office for Hate Crimes so far this year have targeted a total of 2017 suspects who have been identified by name. In cases of cybercrime, 978 suspects could be identified according to Ploog.
The Central Office for Hate Crimes has existed since September 2020. It was established in response to the attacks in Halle and Hanau. With it, it should be possible to deal better with Racism, Antisemitism, and other forms of group-targeted harassment.
- The increase in hate crimes in Berlin is a concern for the justice system, with the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office reporting over 3500 proceedings in just half a year.
- The surge in hate crimes, with over 1900 cases reported online, has raised concerns about the role of extremism and hate speech on the internet.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin suspects that the heightened social climate and a higher reporting rate are contributing factors to the significant rise in hate crimes.
- In its efforts to combat hate crimes, the Central Office for Hate Crimes has identified over 2000 suspects linked to these incidents, with a notable increase in identifying cybercrime suspects.
