The number of right-wing extremist crimes rose significantly in Germany in the past year. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution counted over 22,300 acts with a right-wing extremist background in 2019, almost ten percent more than in the previous year, as can be seen in the Office for the Protection of the Constitution published today.
In addition, over 6,400 acts by left-wing extremists were registered, which corresponds to an increase of around 40 percent. The number of acts of violence among the crimes fell: this time it was 15 percent less for right-wing extremists and just under ten percent for left-wing extremists.
However, the report indicates that in 2019 the Kassel government president Walter Lübcke and two people were killed in the attack in Halle by right-wing extremists.
Anti-Semitic acts of violence increased
Anti-Semitic acts of violence have also increased. „Anti-Semitism, xenophobia and Islamophobia continue to be the focus of right-wing extremist agitation in the reporting year 2019,“ said Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU). „We must continue to be vigilant and defensive.“ Since 2019, both the youth organization of the right-wing populist party AfD and the association „wing“ of the party have been observed for the first time.
More cyber attacks from foreign countries
He gives no all-clear for the threat posed by Islamist extremists: there have been no attacks for three years, which could be due to the military defeat of the Islamic State (IS) militia in Syria. This is also due to the vigilance of the authorities.
The threat to Germany is still high, for example, the Salafists are still growing.
The risk to the basic order has increased due to activities by foreign countries: Especially in times of crisis, cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns are increasing, with the aim of destabilizing the free society. The report mentions Russia and China in particular.
