German Police Raid Neo-Nazi Youth Groups Across 12 States

German police have carried out coordinated raids at around 50 properties as part of an investigation into emerging far-right youth groups suspected of organising violent attacks.

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More than 600 officers took part in the operation on Wednesday, targeting individuals believed to be linked to two extremist groups: Jung & Stark and Deutsche Jugend Voran. Authorities say the groups have been recruiting young members and encouraging violent action against perceived opponents.

The searches took place across 12 German states, with most of the activity focused in eastern and southern regions including Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony.

No arrests were made during the raids, prosecutors said.

Nationwide investigation

Germany’s federal prosecutors said the investigation centres on suspected organisers who used social media platforms to coordinate violence and build networks across the country.

According to investigators, members of the groups have carried out assaults on individuals linked to left-wing politics and on people they accused of being paedophiles.

“In several cases, victims were attacked by multiple perpetrators and suffered significant injuries,” prosecutors said in a statement.

Authorities also said participants in group meetings had openly called for violence against political opponents and alleged offenders.

Previous convictions

The investigation follows earlier prosecutions connected to the groups.

In 2024, a leading figure in Deutsche Jugend Voran was sentenced to more than three years in prison after a series of violent attacks in Berlin.

The man, identified by German authorities as 24-year-old Julian M, was convicted alongside several accomplices aged between 16 and 23. The group had targeted individuals wearing symbols associated with left-wing political movements, beating several victims severely.

Growing concern over youth radicalisation

Security officials and researchers say there is increasing concern in Germany about young people becoming involved in far-right extremism and violence.

Both Jung & Stark and Deutsche Jugend Voran operate openly online, maintaining a presence on platforms including Telegram and Instagram.

According to Jakob Guhl of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, many of the groups’ members are teenagers or people in their early twenties.

He said the organisations are “explicitly militant” and unusually open about their activities.

Recruitment through social media

While far-right movements in Germany have historically operated publicly, analysts say newer groups are increasingly using social media to attract supporters.

Jung & Stark has gathered hundreds of followers online, and similar smaller groups have appeared locally, particularly in eastern Germany, since 2024.

Researchers say these organisations differ from broader far-right movements such as Alternative for Germany or the Identitarian movement, which aim to reach wider audiences.

Instead, the youth groups focus on physical training, attending demonstrations and carrying out attacks against people they identify as enemies.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 May 2026