Police carried out coordinated raids in Germany, Estonia, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic targeting a suspected neo‑Nazi music network. Authorities in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern said four people are accused of membership in a far‑right criminal organisation that allegedly produced and sold hate‑inciting audio recordings since at least 2020. Eight additional suspects and the homes of ten others were also searched. The operation involved more than 390 officers under the state criminal police office's command.
Coordinated Raids Across Europe Target Suspected Neo‑Nazi Hate‑Music Network
Police officers secure evidence during a raid on a single-family home. Several buildings in Anklam and the Rostock district are being searched as part of an investigation into four suspected right-wing extremists. (is associated with: «Neo-Nazi hate music network raided in sweeping searches across Europe») Jens Büttner/dpa
Police in Germany and several other European countries carried out coordinated searches on Wednesday as part of an investigation into the production and distribution of neo‑Nazi music that allegedly promotes hatred and extremist ideology.
Officials in the north‑eastern German state of Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern said operations were conducted across Germany and extended to Estonia, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Officers searched the homes and workplaces of four people suspected of membership in a far‑right criminal organisation. Authorities allege the group has collaborated since at least 2020 to "spread a National Socialist, anti‑Semitic, racist and dehumanizing ideology through the organized, collaborative production and sale of audio recordings containing music that incites hatred."
In addition to the four primary suspects, eight further individuals were subject to searches in connection with alleged hate‑speech offences linked to the recordings, and police also raided the homes of another ten people connected to the suspects.
The operation deployed more than 390 police officers and was coordinated under the command of the Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern State Criminal Police Office. Investigators emphasized the cross‑border element of the inquiry and the focus on combating organised dissemination of extremist material.
What Authorities Said
Investigators described the alleged activity as an organised effort to produce and sell audio recordings that promote a National Socialist and racist ideology and incite hatred.
No final determination of guilt has been made. The raids form part of an active criminal investigation and further enquiries are ongoing across the countries involved.
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