ANKARA

German prosecutors have defended their recent crackdown on online hate speech, arguing that the country’s strict laws aim to protect democracy, not stifle free expression, amid growing international criticism, press reports said on Sunday.

In a series of coordinated raids across the country, police targeted more than 50 individuals suspected of spreading hate speech online, according to CBS News.

Prosecutors say the operation is part of Germany’s ongoing efforts to enforce laws prohibiting content that incites hatred or spreads misinformation.

“We are dealing with crimes committed through words,” said Matthaus Fink, one of the state prosecutors overseeing the crackdown, the media outlet quoted.

“People are often surprised to learn that what they post online can be illegal. Free speech exists, but it has its limits,” he stressed.

Germany, which has some of the world’s strictest speech regulations due to its historical experiences with hate-driven violence, has seen a rise in online abuse in recent years.

Officials say the assassination of politician Walter Lubcke in 2019, following years of online harassment, demonstrated how digital hate can lead to real-world violence.

“Online hate can sometimes find a way into real life and hurt people,” said prosecutor Svenja Meininghaus, noting that threats and abuse often discourage citizens from participating in democratic discourse.

The German legal framework allows authorities to prosecute not only individuals who create or share hateful content but also those who engage by liking or reposting it.

Violators can face heavy fines, the confiscation of devices, and, in some cases, jail time.

‘Assault on fundamental freedoms’

In the meantime, the aggressive approach has sparked criticism abroad, particularly in the US.

Vice President JD Vance recently condemned the raids, calling them “an assault on fundamental freedoms.”

“There is no real freedom of speech left in Europe,” Vance said during a recent speech in Washington, DC.

“When governments start raiding homes over social media posts, they aren’t protecting democracy - they are dismantling it.”

Amid the backlash, Elon Musk, US presidential aide and the owner of social media platform X, weighed in on the issue.

Following news of the raids, Musk said on X: “Thank the Lord that America has freedom of speech!”

His remarks were widely shared, with some echoing concerns about Europe’s approach to online expression, while others criticized his stance as dismissive of efforts to curb hate-fueled violence.

German officials rejected the criticism, saying the measures are necessary to safeguard an open, respectful, and fact-based public discourse.

“Our constitution draws clear lines when speech incites hatred or spreads lies,” said Josephine Ballon, the CEO of Berlin-based rights group HateAid.

“Without boundaries, a small, aggressive minority can silence the majority,” she stressed.

The EU has recently intensified its efforts to regulate online platforms, passing legislation that requires tech companies to limit the spread of harmful content.

The social media giant X is currently under investigation for potentially violating these rules.

Prosecutor Fink acknowledged the challenges of policing the digital sphere but stressed the importance of the task.

“The internet is not a lawless space,” he said. “We investigate crimes, even when they happen online.”

“The alternative would be to do nothing—and that’s not an option,” he underlined.