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Politically motivated crime in Germany hits record high

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Politically motivated crimes in Germany reached a record high in 2025, with at least 85,000 offenses recorded.
  • The number of such crimes has more than doubled in the past decade, rising from 38,981 in 2015.
  • Security authorities are particularly concerned about the persistently high level of violence, with politically motivated violent acts increasing by 1.2% to 4,156 cases.

Germany recorded at least 85,000 politically motivated crimes in 2025, a new record high, according to a report by Welt am Sonntag. This figure surpasses the previous peak of 84,172 cases in 2024 and represents more than a doubling of such offenses since 2015, when the number stood at 38,981.

The newspaper analyzed data from 15 of Germany's 16 federal states, noting that Rhineland-Palatinate's figures were delayed due to state elections and a change in interior minister. Consequently, the actual total number of politically motivated crimes in 2025 is likely even higher.

Security authorities expressed significant concern over the sustained high level of violence associated with these crimes. Politically motivated violent acts saw a nationwide increase of 1.2%, reaching 4,156 cases. These incidents include offenses such as assault, arson, explosive device use, and rioting. Investigators attributed 1,598 of these violent acts to right-wing extremists and 1,087 to the left-wing scene.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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