Germany: Record increase in criminality with political motives

2024-05-22 08:30:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Criminality with political and religious motives has increased, according to the annual balance sheet for 2023 made public by the Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Criminal Investigation Agency. The reason: even in Germany, the consequences of the radical-Islamic Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the war that followed in the territory of Gaza are felt.

"The situation in the Middle East has influenced at all levels radicalized actions in Germany – with the rise of anti-Semitic attitudes, street protests and the rise of politically motivated criminality. The potential for escalation is great." This is what the president of the Federal Criminalistics Agency, Holger Münch, said in summary, regarding these developments, when together with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Nancy Faeser, they presented in Berlin the report with the cases registered during 2023.

Over 60,000 criminal acts registered with political motives

"Those who sow indignation and hatred in our society have become even louder. Hatred on the net has exploded even further," says Social Democratic Minister Faeser. For the first time the number of all registered deeds reaches over 60,000 – an increase of about 1100 deeds more than in 2022 and more than double the previous years.

Most of the registered cases are related to propaganda offences. In the current statistics, these cases make up about a third. Among them, the use of symbols of anti-constitutional organizations, such as the broken cross of the National Socialists, stands out. But also the incitement of hatred in the people, insults and material damage are part of the statistics with quotas from 13 to 15 percent.

The greatest danger continues to be right-wing extremism: Almost half of all criminal acts come from the ranks of this group. "In no other sector is the number of victims as high as in the case of right-wing extremism," emphasizes Interior Minister Faeser. Attacks on state officials and politicians are of great concern to him. All parties are affected by the violence against them.

Left-wing extremism and Islamism are increasingly in focus. As Minister Faeser pointed out, these are actions directed against our open and free society. "These are acts directed against human dignity and against our democracy." Law enforcement and security bodies will act with all available legal instruments to prevent violence and extreme actions./ DW