|
The suspects, some of them minors and adolescents, were
allegedly part of a group of around 15-20 individuals called
Sächsische Separatisten, or Saxonian Separatists, that is
characterized by racist, antisemitic and partially apocalyptic
ideas, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
"Its members are united in a profound rejection of the liberal
democratic order and believe that Germany is nearing
‘collapse,’" the statement said.
It said the group plotted to seize power in Saxony and
potentially other eastern German states "to establish
governmental and societal structures inspired by National
Socialism.”
"Even ethnic cleansing was part of their inhuman plans,” Justice
Minister Marco Buschmann said in a statement.
He said that the arrests were a reminder that the German
constitutional state and the free and democratic order “are
under threat from many sides.”
"We must do everything we can to defend our liberal democracy
against its enemies,” he said.
The eight men were arrested in different location across Saxony
and their alleged ringleader was apprehended in Poland. More
than 450 police officers and special forces searched 20 premises
in connection with the arrests.
The prosecutor's office said that since its founding in 2020,
the militant group made continuous preparations for the
perceived inevitable and violent change of government.
It said its members, including the arrested suspects, repeatedly
completed paramilitary training in combat gear, practiced
specifically urban warfare, firearms handling and other skills.
The group also procured military hardware, such as camouflage
fatigues, combat helmets, gas masks and bullet-proof vests, the
statement said.
Seven other suspects were also investigated in the raids but not
detained.
Germany has repeatedly busted far-right groups wanting to
overthrow the government.
In 2022, a group of so-called Reichsbuerger planned to storm
into the parliament building in Berlin and arrest lawmakers,
according to prosecutors. It allegedly intended to negotiate a
post-coup order primarily with Russia, as one of the allied
victors of World War II.
German government and security officials have warned for years
of the growing threat by far-right extremists to Germany's
democratic order.
All contents © copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
