Germany: Raids target members of banned far-right group 'Artgemeinschaft'

Police in Germany have conducted searches across five federal states targeting individuals suspected of continuing the activities of the banned far-right group 'Artgemeinschaft'. The operations, which took place from Thursday morning to midday, are part of an investigation into 15 individuals accused of maintaining the group despite its nationwide ban.

The searches occurred in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Law enforcement agencies, including state criminal police offices, were involved. Specific locations included properties in Lippstadt (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Jameln (Lower Saxony), with police also appearing at two sites in Berlin.

Authorities seized evidence, including documents and data storage devices, as part of the investigation. No arrests were made, and no unusual incidents were reported during the searches. The seized materials will now be evaluated.

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The Artgemeinschaft – Germanic Faith Community for Essential Life Design.

In Saxony-Anhalt, searches also took place in Gardelegen, where a gathering described as a 'summer solstice celebration' reportedly occurred in June. Police allegedly controlled access to this event, which was declared private, and observed guests associated with 'Artgemeinschaft'.

The 'Artgemeinschaft – Germanic Faith Community for Essential Life Design' was banned in 2023 by the German Interior Ministry. Then-Minister Nancy Faeser called it a "sect-like, deeply racist and antisemitic association." The group's appeal against the ban was confirmed by the Federal Administrative Court in April. Founded in 1951, the group promoted a worldview violating human dignity under the guise of pseudoreligious Germanic beliefs, according to security authorities who estimated its membership at around 150 people prior to the ban.

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sect-like, deeply racist and antisemitic association.