Germany carries out raids against far-right youth groups

German authorities launched a large-scale police operation early on May 6 targeting two far-right youth organisations, Der Spiegel reports.

According to the publication, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Criminal Police Office are conducting raids against members of the groups Deutsche Jugend Voran and Jung und Stark. Searches are being carried out at around 50 locations across 12 federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and Berlin.

The investigation is focused on 36 suspected members of the organisations, including minors—the youngest is 16 years old. Authorities are seeking to establish the structure and networks of the groups, which present themselves as part of the far-right youth movement.

Law enforcement officials say members of the organisations have promoted aggressive rhetoric against migrants and certain social groups, and have previously been linked to violent incidents at public events.

The investigation has been ongoing for some time. Last year, Berlin police already carried out searches targeting suspected members of DJV, while one of the group’s leaders was sentenced to prison for aggravated threats and assault.

By Vugar Khalilov