The German government has reported an increase in politically motivated violent crimes, including attempted and carried out homicides and assaults. The majority of the over 4,000 cases reported show an ideological motivation. The number of politically motivated homicides has significantly increased compared to the previous year. According to a response from the government to a query from the AfD parliamentary faction, there were around 20 cases last year, of which 17 were attempts and 3 were actual killings. The authorities categorize these cases based on backgrounds such as left-wing, right-wing, foreign ideology, religious ideology, or cases that cannot be clearly assigned.
The statistics show a higher number of right-wing violence in cases of assault compared to left-wing violence (1123 versus 374). A significant number of 487 cases could not be categorized by the authorities. Left-wing perpetrators are leading in cases of resistance and breach of peace, which are likely related to typical crimes associated with demonstrations and marches. The overall number of politically motivated violent crimes remains at a similar level to the previous year, with over 4,000 cases reported. Additional reporting may further increase these numbers. The AfD deputy Stephan Brandner, who raised the query, criticizes the Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser for lack of enforcement, urging equal focus on combating all forms of extremism.
Politically motivated violent crimes are part of politically motivated criminal activity, which also includes propaganda offenses such as displaying the Hitler salute or incitement of hatred. The authorities have noted a significant increase in right-wing extremist crimes last year. In the category of “Politically motivated crime – right-wing,” there were 28,945 offenses recorded, compared to 23,493 in the previous year, as indicated in a response from the Federal Ministry of the Interior to a query from the Left party in the Bundestag. Minister Faeser attributes part of the rise in right-wing extremist crimes to the AfD, stating that those who fuel racism and contempt for others, like the AfD and its supporters, have become louder in recent years.
The increase in right-wing extremist crimes has led to concerns about the role of the AfD in promoting such activities. Faeser points out that the AfD and its allies have been increasingly vocal in spreading racism and hatred, which may have contributed to the rise in right-wing crimes. Right-wing crimes make up the largest share of politically motivated crimes, followed by cases that cannot be attributed to a specific category. These cases encompass politically motivated crimes that may not fit into the traditional spectrum of extremism, especially those arising from radical protests against COVID-19 measures. The statistics show a decrease in the total number of offenses in this area compared to the previous year, but there were increases in left-wing extremist crimes and crimes motivated by foreign ideology.
Faeser’s remarks underscore the government’s concerns about the rise in politically motivated violent crimes, particularly those stemming from right-wing extremism. The government is calling for a comprehensive approach to address all forms of extremism and ensure the safety and security of all citizens. The statistics reveal a complex landscape of politically motivated crimes, highlighting the need for targeted measures to combat extremism in all its forms. The government’s response to the rise in politically motivated violent crimes reflects a commitment to addressing these issues and safeguarding communities against ideological-driven violence.
