German extremists charged with planning neo-Nazi state

Berlin (TIP)- German federal prosecutors on Wednesday brought charges against eight suspected members of an far-right extremist group based in the eastern German state of Saxony that was broken up in 2024.
The members of the so-called “Saxony Separatists” are said to have expected the imminent collapse of the German state, and were accused of preparing to violently take over chunks of territory in Saxony after what they referred to as “day X.”
Federal prosecutors charged the eight men with establishment of and membership in a terrorist organization, along with the preparation of a treasonous undertaking, according to German public broadcaster MDR.
State based on Nazi ideology
After “day X,” prosecutors said the group planned to establish an independent state based onNazi ideology, which included “removing” ethnic minorities, along with representatives of the previous state order.
Prosecutors said the group’s training included target practice and paramilitary exercises, during which, for example, house-to-house combat or night marches and forced marches were practiced.
Investigators said searches of premises used by members uncovered knives and machetes, ammunition, combat helmets, camouflage and other equipment.
How was the group uncovered?
The group’s existence became known in November 2024 when it was broken up in a raid by police. The eight defendants were also arrested at the time.
According to the federal prosecutor’s office, the militant group was founded in early February 2020. It most recently had around 20 members.
“Its members are united by a deep rejection of the free democratic basic order of the Federal Republic of Germany,” federal prosecutors said in a November 2024 statement.
“From the group’s point of view, there is no doubt that Germany is on the verge of ‘collapse’ and that, on a still-undetermined ‘day X,’ the state and society will collapse,” it added.
“Even ethnic cleansing was part of their inhuman plans,” former German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said in a statement at the time, adding that the arrests showed the importance of protecting Germany’s free and democratic order from threats “from many sides.”
Three of the group’s members arrested had ties with the far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Shortly after the arrests, the AfD revoked the suspects’ membership in the party.
One of the men, who was a former local AfD politican, was shot and injured by police during his arrest after he aimed a pistol at officers. He is facing additional charges of attempted murder, MDR reported.
A Dresden court will now decide whether to allow the charges to proceed. According to the federal prosecutor’s office, investigations into other suspected members or supporters are ongoing.