Police and justice strike back against right-wing extremist group "Knockout 51" again
In a recent string of actions, the judicial system and law enforcement have targeted the right-wing extremist martial arts organization "Knockout 51." This morning, authorities in Karlsruhe announced three arrests, with two individuals charged for their alleged involvement in the group, and a third for supporting its activities. The investigations led to searches of four properties in Thuringia, specifically in Erfurt and Eisenach.
Over the years, "Knockout 51" has attracted right-wing extremists eager to employ violence. The group primarily operated in the Eisenach area, posing a significant threat in the region. Describing the group, the Federal Public Prosecutor General asserted that "Knockout 51" deceptively lured young, nationalist-minded men under the guise of physical training and then indoctrinated them with extremist ideologies. The organization also prepared its members for physical encounters with police officers, left-wing political activists, and other supposed enemies.
One of the detained individuals was reportedly a leading figure within "Knockout 51," having founded the group at the latest in March 2019. He was instrumental in training new members and candidates in the group's ideology and even led "neighborhood patrols." Another individual, a long-standing figure in Germany's far-right scene, was arrested for allegedly providing "Knockout 51" with a property in Eisenach as a training facility and weapons storage.
The third arrested individual is said to have joined the group in March 2019 and participated in martial arts and shooting training. Alongside the alleged group leader, he is accused of planning to carry out a lethal attack against left-wing extremists in September 2021. The plan ultimately failed when the accused individual was to drive a car into their opposition.
The Federal Public Prosecutor General's classification of "Knockout 51" as a terrorist organization remains undeterred, despite recent actions. The investigations against the organization are far from over, as authorities continue to gather evidence to bring those involved in its activities to justice.
Four alleged members of "Knockout 51" are currently undergoing trial at the Jena Higher Regional Court. The men were accused of plotting to kill their political adversaries using knives, axes, and machetes. They had already acquired these weapons. The court agreed to pursue charges against the men, but only on the condition that "Knockout 51" would be temporarily classified as a criminal organization instead of a terrorist one.
This news comes as authorities across Germany have been cracking down on right-wing extremist groups engaging in criminal activities. Previous sessions, such as the one in Bad Wildungen, have targeted potential threats in various areas of Germany.
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Keywords to remember: Karlsruhe, Knockout 51, Right-wing extremism, Thuringia, Erfurt, Criminality, Police, Violence, Athletic training, Indoctrination, Extremist ideology, Terrorism, Trial, Jena.
