Hate crime unit sees cases more than double

Germany's Central Office for Combating Hate Crimes on the Internet, based in Halle, reported a significant surge in cases last year, with the number of proceedings initiated against known suspects more than doubling.

In 2025, the office launched 727 proceedings, a sharp increase from the 312 initiated in 2024. The Central Office was established on May 9, 2023, as a clear signal that hate and incitement have no place in society. Its conviction rate stands at nearly 20%, considerably higher than the national average of approximately 14%.

Of the 727 proceedings, 188 were transferred to other state prosecutors' offices outside of Saxony-Anhalt. As of January 15, around 350 other incoming cases were concluded. These included approximately 50 penalty orders resulting in fines, 17 indictments brought before a district judge, and over 60 cases merged with potentially more serious proceedings. However, many cases were also dismissed: investigators found insufficient evidence in about 170 instances, 12 were closed due to minor offenses, and 13 were settled with a fine.

Many cases involved hate comments spread through anonymous accounts, with the vast majority of accused individuals being male. The prosecution authority cited an example where a post featuring an image of a transformer substation with the caption "Climbing park for Greens and refugees" was deemed incitement by the Halle public prosecutor's office. A penalty order of 120 daily rates of 50 euros each, totaling 6,000 euros, was sought. However, the Merseburg District Court acquitted the accused in March, ruling the post, while "absolutely tasteless," was not sufficient to "disturb the public peace." The prosecution has appealed this decision, and the Higher Regional Court of Naumburg is set to hear the case soon.

The Central Office currently comprises a senior public prosecutor as department head, one female prosecutor, and three male prosecutors. They are supported by one IT forensic expert, a reduction from two previously.