The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against seven members and one supporter of the suspected far-right youth terror cell, “Last Wave of Defense” (L.V.W.), marking a significant escalation in the investigation of burgeoning extremist violence within Germany. A spokesperson for the office confirmed the indictment to “Stern” and RTL, revealing it has been brought before the State Protection Senate of the Hamburg Regional Court.
The charges leveled against the eight young men, aged between 15 and 21, encompass membership and support of a terrorist organization, alongside attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and grievous bodily harm. Central to the prosecution’s case are two distinct acts of violence: an arson attack on a cultural center in Altdöbern, Brandenburg, in October 2024 and an assault using fireworks against a refugee shelter in Schmölln, Thuringia, earlier this year. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has classified both incidents as attempted murder, highlighting the gravity of the alleged offenses and the potential for coordinated, politically motivated acts of terror.
Beyond these two events, the indictment further alleges that three members of L.V.W. planned an attack on an asylum seeker accommodation in Senftenberg, Brandenburg, utilizing pyrotechnics. Moreover, the group is accused of collectively assaulting individuals they falsely identified as pedophiles, facing charges of grievous bodily harm in those instances.
The timing of these arrests and charges is particularly noteworthy as authorities grapple with rising concerns about radicalization within younger demographics and the increasing boldness of far-right groups. Critics have questioned the adequacy of existing preventative measures and whether they are effectively addressing the root causes of extremism, especially within online spaces. The lengthy pre-trial detention of seven of the eight defendants – a significant restriction on liberty – underscores the seriousness with which the judiciary is treating the allegations, but also raises questions about potential impacts on due process and the rights of the accused. The case promises to be a crucial test for Germany’s legal system as it confronts the threat of homegrown extremism and attempts to hold perpetrators accountable while safeguarding fundamental rights.
