Germany: Growing risk of neo-Nazi terrorist attacks

BERLIN

Right-wing extremists in Germany increasingly lean towards violence and the use of online platforms spread propaganda, the country's Interior Ministry said.

Among 24,000 far-right extremists identified by security services, more than half are violence-oriented, the ministry said in response to a parliamentary question, which was made public on Friday.

The online propaganda of far-right groups via social media networks and other online platforms may lead to the more rapid radicalization of individuals and groups, and incite them to commit acts of violence, the ministry also said.

Far-right extremists carried out some 688 violent attacks against foreigners, immigrants or political rivals last year, according to official figures.

At least 386 individuals were injured in these attacks.

Konstantin Kuhle, a liberal lawmaker from the opposition Free Democratic Party, has called on Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government to prepare a new security concept to prevent and counter radicalisation on the Internet.

Germany has witnessed growing xenophobia and anti-migrant hatred in recent years, triggered by far-right propaganda which have exploited fears tied to the refugee crisis and terrorism.

German opposition parties have long called on the government to take strong action against far-right propaganda, fearing further radicalization of sympathizers and a new wave of violence.