Uncovered Link Between a Neo-Nazi Faction and the Thuringian Law Enforcement Forces.
The investigation by the public prosecutor's office in Gera has led to charges against several Thuringian police officers for allegedly sharing confidential information with the neo-Nazi group "Knockout 51". Chief public prosecutor Thomas Riebel confirmed this to news portal t-online. Ten individuals have been identified as suspects, with several police officers being exonerated since mid-July, resulting in more being added to the list. Currently, proceedings are being conducted against five current officers and one former officer, who was removed from duty and is still accused of being a group member. The public prosecutor's office declined to disclose details about the new suspects.
Confidential government documents are also believed to be relevant in related proceedings being pursued by the Federal Prosecutor General against suspected supporters of the group, according to t-online. The Federal Court of Justice has reportedly deemed at least one suspect to have shared investigation results based on wiretapped conversations. In mid-July, investigators seized data storage devices during a raid to examine chat logs.
Sowing fear for years
In July, the State Security Chamber of the Higher Regional Court in Jena sentenced four individuals as members of the far-right "Knockout 51" group to several years in prison. However, the Federal Prosecutor General filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Justice against the verdict. The top prosecution authority's representative demanded significantly increased sentences for the men, contending that "Knockout 51" is not only a criminal but also a terrorist organization. The court rejected this assessment.
Investigations and trial testimony revealed that the convicted men had instilled fear in Eisenach for years, carrying out attacks on political adversaries and police officers, some of whom suffered severe injuries. The group's alleged close ties to police officers, referred to as "friends" or "good contacts" by the accused in intercepted conversations, were particularly noteworthy. In the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution report 2022, "Knockout 51" is described as a "violence-prone, neo-Nazi organization with anti-democratic objectives".
The allegations against the police officers raise concerns about the Protection of the Constitution, ensuring the constitution's principles aren't compromised through misconduct. The Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has identified "Knockout 51" as a "violence-prone, neo-Nazi organization with anti-democratic objectives," highlighting the importance of safeguarding civilians from such threats.
