“The threat we have not observed for many years.” Extremists in Germany are growing in strength
In September 2024, young neo -Nazis attacked a mentally disabled man, threw him insults, calling “a pedal” and stole his shirt with the Antify logo. Then they posed with their prey in the Berlin pub “Zum Zapfhahn”, taking a picture with clenched fists.
The victim later said in an interview with Spiegel television that the incident was a traumatic experience. – I am extremely terrified. I do not wish it to anyone in the world.
Ten months later: an early morning, the sky over Berlin-Marzahn is dark gray. Police cars are gathering in the supermarket parking lot. Just before 6.00 the column starts. The goal is a skyscraper at the large disc estate – in the immediate vicinity of “Zapfhahn”. Officers in helmets and with shields storm the apartment.
Christopher W., a well -known neo -Nazi lives there. He is considered one of the leaders of “Deutsche Jugend Voran” (German youth ahead), a right -wing, extremist youth group, which repeatedly attacked leftists and participants of equality parades. It is he who is to be visible in the photo in the Antify T -shirt. The “Berliner Morgenpost” newspaper was the first to inform about the rack.
According to “Die Welt”, The search in Marzahn was part of a larger police action. On Wednesday morning, apartments in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Front Honor were searched-a total of five people associated with right-wing extremist groups “Deutsche Jugend Voran” (German youth forward), “Jung und Stark” (young and strong) and “Patriotische Deutsche Jugend” (patriotic German youth).
The reason for the search was not only the beating of a man in an anti -fascist shirt, but also another, previously unknown incident. As “Die Welt” found out, an investigation is being investigated on causing severe damage to health, robbery and the use of anti -konstitutional symbols. At the beginning of May, Berlin neo -Nazis were to take the scarf from the Dynamo Dresden football club.
According to “Die Welt”, during searches, among others Blind weapon, intoxicants and cell phones.
Nazi symbolism and a tendency to violence
“Deutsche Jugend Voran” is one of several groups that have been shaking the neo -Nazi scene since the summer of 2024. Its members are young and organize through social networks. They present their actions on the Internet, often referring to Nazi symbolism. Their activities are directed against political opponents, Queer people and leftist organizations.
Security services have been observing this group for months with concern: It deliberately addresses young people prone to aggression, creates a community through protests and marches, and at the same time regularly exceeds the limit of violence.
Christopher W., a 17-year-old born in Uckermark, is not an unknown figure in the environment. In the past, he was noticed in the environment of the youth of the neo -Nazi party “Der Dritte Weg” (third road). According to leftist internet portals, he uses the nickname “Syrena”.
A right -wing extremist with the same nicknamed in autumn last autumn in an interview with the magazine “Der Spiegel” a tendency to violence. – I don't just want to practice self -defense. I want to fight – said the young neo -Nazi. – The more you fight, the more fun it is.
March of Extremely Right and Neo -Nazi groups in Berlin, Germany, March 22, 2025.
According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution “Physicality and Martial Sports”, they play a fundamental role in creating the image of the Neo -Nazi scene. Youth groups, such as “Deutsche Jugend Voran” or “Jung und Stark” are very dynamic and have a great ability to mobilize.
Also, the Federal Criminal Office has recently alerted in an interview with Die Welt that young members of this scene are “”the threat we have not observed in this form for many years” – Considering neo -Nazi propaganda in social media, there is a risk that these groups will recruit further supporters, and this phenomenon will spread – he warned.
According to the security services of a grouping such as “Deutsche Jugend Voran”, but also “Der Dritte Weg” have recently noted a significant increase in popularity. It happened that the Nazi party could not even keep up with receiving new members. Neo -Nazi martial arts structures have been and have been functioning for many years – despite the fact that their most important event, “Kampf der Nibelungen” (Nibelung's fight), was banned by the authorities in 2019.
The left is not the only goal of a new wave of violence from right -wing extremists. New groups are aiming at homosexuals. The huge mobilization of protests against such events as “Christopher Street Day” surprised even long -time scene observers last year.
Enemy number one: Homosexuals
According to the Think Tank Analysis of the Monitoring Center, Analysis and Strategy in 2024, right -wing extremists organized actions that disrupt public order in 27 German cities during events and demonstrations for the rights of homosexual and queer. 700 right -wing extremists came to Budziszyn. In several other cities, the authorities recorded cases of violence.
He also wrote in September 2024 that he took part in marches in Budziszyn, Leipzig and Magdeburg – equipped with gloves and a mask covering the face. Goal: intimidation. At least.
Peter Anhalt, extremism expert in the organization of the Violence Prevention Network (VPN), considers homophobia and hostility towards LGBTQ+ people – not racism or anti -Semitism – as the most important topic mobilizing groups such as “Deutsche Jugend Voran” or “Jung und Stark”
Anhalt recalls a conversation with one of the supporters of this scene. He told him: – I have friends who are the name of Ahmed or Mohamed, this is not a problem. Gays are a problem. Anhalt's friend, Elisabeth Hell, explains: – The extreme right has very effectively distributed the topic of homophobia and transphobia. This community has become a strong enemy.
VPN supports a dozen young people from this environment as part of advisory projects. Many of them are in a difficult situation – conflicts in the family and school and the use of intoxicants are common.
The Trade Union of Policemen accepted the Wednesday police action. – “Deutsche Jugend Voran” is an unimaginable jumble of misanthropes and should be fought with all means provided by law – said the spokesman of the Union Benjamin Jendro.
