---
title: "Germany arrests minors in strike against far-right 'terrorist' group"
description: "FRANKFURT, May 21 (Reuters) - German authorities on Wednesday arrested five adolescents suspected of forming a far-right terrorist group and said the charges included attempted murder and severe arson."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-21-germany-arrests-minors-in-strike-against-far-right-terrorist-group/"
published: "2025-05-21T12:54:38"
updated: "2025-05-21T12:54:40"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 270
---

# Germany arrests minors in strike against far-right 'terrorist' group

> FRANKFURT, May 21 (Reuters) - German authorities on Wednesday arrested five adolescents suspected of forming a far-right terrorist group and said the charges included attempted murder and severe arson.

By Reuters · Published 21 May 2025, 14:54 SAST · Updated 21 May 2025, 14:54 SAST

## Key points
- In a dramatic twist worthy of a political thriller, five teenage members of a self-styled "last wave of defense" against migrants have been arrested for a spree of arson and violence, as Germany grapples with a staggering 40% surge in politically motivated crimes, largely fueled by far-right fervor and a dash of electoral chaos.
- Five male minors arrested for arson attacks on a community centre and refugee shelter, linked to a far-right group.
- The group, claiming to protect the "German nation," aims to incite violence against migrants and political opponents.
- Over 220 police officers conducted arrests and searches across five states amid rising politically motivated crimes.
- Far-right violence in Germany surged 40% last year, fueled by political polarization and the recent war in Gaza.

## Content

By Ludwig Burger

The arrests follow arson attacks on a community centre and a refugee shelter.

Federal prosecutors said in a statement the five were male culpable minors who formed a group which styled itself as the "last wave of defence" to protect the "German nation".

They listed eight German members of the group, disclosing their first names and the initial of their last names, including three who had been previously arrested. Their ages were not disclosed.

The group's "aim is to commit acts of violence primarily against migrants and political opponents to bring about the collapse of the democratic system of Germany," the statement said.

Two of the five are believed to have committed arson at a cultural community centre in October in the eastern state of Brandenburg.

Two other members of the group who were arrested previously are accused of breaking a window and firing fireworks into a migrant shelter in Saxony in January.

The statement added that more than 220 police officers were involved in the five arrests and searches of premises across five regional states.

Politically motivated crimes in Germany surged about 40% to a record high last year, a [report](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL6N3RS0GY&linkedFromStory=true) by the interior ministry showed on Tuesday, with an especially sharp growth seen in far-right violence.

Deepening political polarisation, a series of closely fought elections and the war in Gaza were cited as underlying reasons for the growth in violence.

Far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored its best-ever results in national elections in February, calling for tighter immigration controls and a departure from the European Union.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)