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German Defense Minister Annegret Krab-Karenbauer
AP Photo / Markus Schreiber
The German authorities and the German armed forces, trying to dispel allegations that there are far-right extremists in their ranks, have been alarmed by the discovery of weapons and explosives at the home of a special forces soldier.
Police with riot gear stormed a demonstration on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Police with riot gear stormed a demonstration on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. The soldier is being prosecuted on suspicion of violating the gun control law.
German Defense Minister Annegret Krab-Karenbauer said the army did not tolerate members “acting radically” and that, according to the Dresden Attorney General, “much evidence was seized” during the raid on the man’s home 45 years. It is not known if the man was arrested.
The attacker attacked shortly after noon in front of a police recruiting center.
According to Annegret Krab-Karenbauer, the 45-year-old man can no longer wear a military uniform or enter military facilities.
In Germany, racist attacks peaked, including in Hanau last February, when an armed man killed 11 people, including migrants. It was an attack that coincided with attempts by the German army to eradicate extremism from its ranks after a scandal in 2017. At the time, an army officer was suspected of planning a racially motivated attack and there are ongoing legal procedures.
According to a report by the military secret service in March, Germany revealed eight extreme right-wing extremists in the armed forces and 27 people reserved for the post-war Democratic Constitution. These individuals were identified after a military intelligence unit investigated 592 people suspected of more general unconstitutional views.
Also in 2017, Nazi souvenirs were found in the barracks, such as the Wehrmacht helmets of the Nazi era.
Given Germany’s Nazi past, many lawmakers insist on “zero tolerance” for extreme right-wing extremism and demand action.
