The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken over the investigation against a German national, who is suspected of leading an extremist group and driving a young person to commit murder.
According to the Federal Prosecutor General, the suspect is believed to have been a member of both a terrorist organization and a criminal association during his youth and early adult years, where he allegedly acted as a ringleader and founded one of the groups. He faces severe charges, including incitement to murder, incitement to multiple acts of arson, rape, and sexual abuse of a child, as well as band membership in the distribution of child pornography, public calls for criminal acts, approval of crimes, and documenting violence.
The suspect is accused of co-founding an online organization no later than the end of March 2024. This group is defined by a far-right ideology and is allegedly focused on committing extremely serious crimes, such as murder or manslaughter. Its stated goal, the prosecutor said, is to precipitate a collapse of social order through acts of violence or public incitements. The General Federal Prosecutor noted that video and image material of these acts were deliberately shared in chat groups to promote the organization and advertise future attacks.
Furthermore, the suspect is alleged to have joined another online criminal group by the end of 2024. Both groups are linked to the so-called “COM scene,” a network that developed online several years ago. The General Federal Prosecutor explained that members of this scene actively seek out very young, typically female individuals on social media or gaming platforms, manipulating and pressuring them into degrading acts, self-harm, and even suicide.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office claims the suspect functioned as one of the leaders in both groups. Evidence suggests he was significantly involved in the planning and execution of crimes for these organizations. Specifically, he is accused of coercing a minor in Russia, along with other members, to fatally stab a child at a school. He is also allegedly responsible for encouraging the murder of a US citizen within a chat group and influencing juveniles in the United States and Sweden to commit arson.
Finally, there is suspicion that the suspect made contact with a child in a European country via the internet and induced them to engage in sexual acts using a knife, resulting in serious injuries. Following these incidents, he allegedly disseminated video compilations of the acts online.
The suspect was arrested on March 17 and remains in custody based on an arrest warrant issued by the Koblenz District Court. He is scheduled to appear before the investigatory judge of the Federal Court of Justice in the near future to adjust the conditions of his detention.
