Crimes linked to far-right extremism rose in Germany in 2023

Reported crimes in Germany linked to far-right political extremism rose in 2023, the Interior Ministry announced on Friday.

A total of 28,945 crimes linked to far-right extremism were recorded in 2023, the ministry said, compared to 23,493 such crimes the year before.

"According to the preliminary police figures for 2023, we must assume that far-right extremist criminal and violent offences have continued to increase significantly," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said.

She stated the increase is likely linked with surging support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party.

"Those who, like the AfD and its supporters, are always blatantly stirring up racism and contempt for humanity have become louder in recent years," Faeser told dpa.

This is creating "a climate of resentment and violence, which is also leading to more right-wing extremist criminal and violent acts."

She added that a new package of measures targeting the far-right that she presented in February are aimed at depriving extremists of their income, confiscating their weapons, dismantling extremist networks and bringing offenders to justice quickly and consistently.