German police arrested five people on Wednesday who are accused of plotting acts of violence with a far-right group which calls itself “Letzte Verteidigungswelle" or "the Last Wave of Defence".
The five suspects were arrested in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Hesse in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The Federal Prosecutor General in Karlsruhe said the suspects are between 14 and 18 years old.
The Associated Press reported that four of the arrested — identified as Benjamin H., Ben-Maxim H., Lenny M. and Jason R. — are suspected of membership in a domestic terror organization, and the fifth, Jerome M., is accused of supporting the group.
Members of the group are said to have planned attacks on refugees and political dissidents. Two of the arrested also are accused of attempted murder and aggravated arson.
According to the Prosecutor General, searches have been conducted at a total of 13 properties in Saxony and Thuringia. Another three German nationals, aged 18 to 21, are already in custody.
What is the 'Last Wave of Defence'
The "Last Wave of Defence" is comprised of young neo-Nazis and is active in several German states. It is believed to have been founded in April 2024.
The Prosecutor General explained, "Their goal is to bring about a collapse of the democratic system in the Federal Republic of Germany through acts of violence, primarily against migrants and political opponents."
A report by Spiegel notes that the group has been recruiting followers via social media such as Instagram, TikTok and Telegram since last year.
There are other similar known right-wing extremist groups in Germany, such as: "Jung und Stark" (Young and Strong), "Der Störtrupp" (Disruptive Force) and "Deutsche Jugend Voran" (German Youth Forwards).
Planned attack on asylum seekers
In February, Saxon investigators had prevented an allegedly planned attack on an asylum shelter in Senftenberg, Brandenburg, thanks to information from a journalist.
On February 12th, an apartment and another property were searched in Meissen, Saxony. Following the raid, the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office said "ball bomb" explosives were found, as well as brass knuckles, one-handed knives, ammunition, alarm and airsoft guns.
A 21-year-old German was arrested on the day of the search.
Research by the same team of reporters also assisted in an investigation of an arson attack on a cultural centre in Altdöbern, Brandenburg in October.
At the time, the building was occupied by several people, who escaped unscathed, prosecutors said. The building had been almost completely destroyed by the fire.
Two 15 year olds had been arrested in February, but were later released. They were among the young men arrested Wednesday morning.
German authorities also believe that two suspected members already in custody smashed the window of a refugee shelter in Schmölln, Thuringia. They allegedly attempted to set fire to the building by launching fireworks through the window, but failed to ignite a blaze. Then they spray painted the façade of the building with far-right slogans including; "foreigners out" and "Nazi territory".
"It is particularly shocking that all those arrested today are said to have been minors when the terrorist group was founded," said Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD).
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With reporting by DPA.
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