Right-wing extremism - Raid against Neo-Nazi Party: Nine suspects arrested
In Berlin, Brandenburg and Sachsen, nine suspected offenders of the far-right extremist party Third Way have been arrested. The suspects, aged between 17 and 21, are reportedly members of the youth organization National Revolutionary Youth (NRJ) of the Third Way. According to police and prosecutors in Berlin, they were involved in violent attacks in January and July.
The small party Third Way is assessed by the Berlin Office for the Protection of the Constitution to be the most active group within the traditional Right-wing Extremism in the capital. They openly hold neo-Nazi and anti-migrant views and serve as a haven for "actions-oriented right-wing extremists," as stated in the Constitutional Protection Report 2023. The NRJ, which has been active since 2021, organizes "publicly effective actions," for instance against refugees.
Masked Thugs at S-Bahnhof Ostkreuz
The arrested suspects are specifically charged with two incidents. One occurred on July 6 at the Berlin S-Bahnhof Ostkreuz. Ten to fifteen masked men, some armed with clubs and chains, allegedly attacked five people aged 15, 32, and 39. According to "Welt" reports, the victims had met at Ostkreuz for a common journey to a demonstration against the Right.
Two federal policemen intervened, and they too were attacked, as per the authorities' announcement. Several of the victims were injured and required medical attention. The initially unknown suspects were later identified.
Data Carriers and Propaganda Material
Furthermore, the suspects are accused of involvement in a robbery in January. A 20-year-old man was allegedly attacked and robbed in Prenzlauer Berg due to political motives by six to seven youths and young adults. The victim was reportedly assaulted in the face and legs by the perpetrators.
During the raids on Thursday with 130 officers, ten search warrants were executed. All suspects were located, and all measures in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Sachsen were carried out. Seized items include mobile devices, digital storage media, clothing, a vehicle, as well as dangerous objects such as pepper spray guns, tools, gloves, and stun guns. Propaganda material was also discovered.
No arrest warrants were requested, according to a spokesperson for the Berlin Prosecutor's Office upon inquiry. Instead, the suspects were to be released after the completion of police measures. The investigations are being conducted by the state criminal police, which is responsible for investigating political offenses.
- The Right-wing Extremism in Saxony, particularly in the context of the Neo-Nazi Party Third Way, has been a concern for authorities, as demonstrated by recent raids led by the police.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin is actively investigating the criminal activities of right-wing extremists associated with the Third Way and its youth organization, the National Revolutionary Youth (NRJ).
- The suspected offenders arrested in Brandenburg and Berlin are believed to have connections with the extremist party Third Way, which according to the Constitutional Protection Report 2023, serves as a hub for "actions-oriented right-wing extremists."
- In addition to Bergen and Brandenburg, authorities in Brandenburg have also taken measures against right-wing extremism, conducting raids to seize data carriers, propaganda material, and dangerous objects from suspected members of the Third Way and its NRJ.
- The arrests in Berlin and Brandenburg follow a series of violent attacks by right-wing extremists, including an incident at the S-Bahnhof Ostkreuz where masked men allegedly attacked five people, injuring several, and an earlier robbery motivated by political views in Prenzlauer Berg.
- The state criminal police are responsible for investigating the criminal activities of right-wing extremists, including the cases related to the Third Way and its NRJ, and will determine whether further charges or arrest warrants are necessary.
