Nationwide police operation
Authorities in Germany carried out large-scale far-right raids on Wednesday, searching around 50 homes and other locations linked to suspected members of newly emerged extremist youth groups.
The coordinated operation took place across 12 federal states, including Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony, with more than 600 police officers involved.
Prosecutors said the investigation focuses on two far-right youth networks known as “Jung & Stark (JS)” and “Deutsche Jugend Voran (DJV)”. The groups are suspected of organising violence through social media platforms and forming nationwide extremist networks.
No arrests were made during the raids.
Federal prosecutors said members of the groups are believed to have attacked political opponents and individuals they accused of being linked to left-wing movements or alleged criminal activity. Victims were reportedly beaten in group assaults and suffered significant injuries.
Authorities also said members promoted violence during meetings and online discussions.
Growing concern over youth extremism
Security officials have expressed concern about the rise of far-right youth radicalisation in Germany, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
Experts say the groups are highly active on platforms such as Telegram and Instagram, using social media to recruit and spread extremist ideology.
In a related case, a former leader of DJV was previously sentenced to more than three years in prison for violent attacks on political opponents in Berlin.
The case highlighted increasing concern over organised youth-driven extremism.
Shift in far-right activity
Researchers say newer groups like JS and DJV differ from traditional far-right movements, focusing more on street violence, martial arts training and direct confrontation with perceived opponents.
They have also adopted a more open online presence compared to older, more structured extremist organisations.
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