German police conducted a raid on a far-right cell, arresting five young men suspected of planning organized attacks on refugees. Authorities are actively searching for additional members of the far-right group known as “Last Wave of Defense.” The arrests occurred across three states, and police are also pursuing suspects in other regions.
The Federal Minister of Justice described the raid as a significant blow to far-right terrorism and expressed particular concern over the fact that the suspects were minors. “It is a warning sign,” the minister stated, “and clearly shows that far-right extremism has no age limit.”
Media reports have highlighted the rise of far-right youth groups in various German states. These groups were also referenced in the Interior Ministry’s 2024 crime statistics report, which indicated a notable increase in political crimes committed by far-right youth movements.
According to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, the terrorist cell was formed about a year ago. The group sees itself as the last line of defense for the German nation and embraces violence against migrants and political opponents. It had planned to carry out arson attacks and throw explosives at migrant shelters and leftist organizations that support asylum seekers.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has announced that the suspects will appear before an investigative judge at the Federal Supreme Court to face multiple charges, including attempted murder, arson, and property damage. The judge is expected to order their pretrial detention. Additionally, the prosecutor’s office is investigating three of those arrested for setting fire to a cultural center in the Altdöbern region of southern Brandenburg. This act was previously announced by the terrorist group in a video message posted on social media.
The public prosecutor’s office is investigating suspects who attempted to set fire to an asylum seeker residence in Schmölln in January 2025 using a fireworks battery. At the scene, the suspects painted swastikas and victory symbols and wrote far-right slogans. Additionally, the group planned to burn down an asylum seeker residence in Senftenberg, with one member preparing two ball bombs to ignite the fire, according to the prosecutor’s office.
