A Drop in Refugee Crimes But Right-Wing Violence Remains Concerning in Brandenburg
Reduction observed in refugee-targeted criminal activities thus far - Decrease in offenses committed against refugee populations reported thus far
Brandenburg's refugee accommodations experienced a decrease in reported crimes during the first quarter of 2025, with 42 incidents, compared to 87 in the same period last year, according to state government data shared with SPD state parliamentarian Andreas Noack. While these numbers have dropped, Noack still considers them disturbingly high, as each individual act constitutes a severe human rights violation.
The crimes primarily involve verbal abuse, threats, propaganda offenses, property damage, arson, and physical injuries.
A Closer Look at Right-Wing Crimes in Brandenburg
In the first quarter of 2025, Brandenburg reported a total of 796 right-wing motivated crimes, with the largest group consisting of propaganda materials and symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations. Hate speech and insults also make up a significant portion of these crimes.
Moreover, 19 acts of violent right-wing extremism took place in the first three months of the year, alongside a federal investigation into a suspected right-wing extremist terror cell operating in Oberspreewald-Lausitz.
Recent Incidents Across Brandenburg
Various incidents, including anti-Semitic assaults, assaults on individuals with darker skin, and attacks on community centers, have recently been reported in Brandenburg towns like Oranienburg, Bad Saarow, and Senftenberg.
SPD Politician's Response
Speaking about the recent violent acts, SPD politician Noack emphasized that hatred against those with different beliefs is reemerging in shocking levels. He insisted on maintaining Brandenburg as a safe haven for people of all backgrounds, including refugees, and encouraged clear distance from right-wing extremist forces in politics.
Right-Wing Extremism in Brandenburg: A Growing Concern
Recent investigations into radicalized youth groups and arrests of suspected right-wing extremists in Brandenburg show that right-wing extremism in the region is a growing concern. The "Reichsbürger" movement, known for denying the legitimacy of the modern German state, has been implicated in violent incidents and fatal attacks on law enforcement, although more notorious incidents have occurred outside Brandenburg.
The broader pattern of rising right-wing extremist violence and extremism nationwide strongly suggests that crimes against refugees have followed suit in Brandenburg, even though specific statistics tailored to the region are not explicitly mentioned in the available data.
- Andreas Noack, the SPD state parliamentarian, expressed concerns about the high number of employment policy violations related to right-wing extremism in Brandenburg, given the large number of reported right-wing motivated crimes.
- In light of Brandenburg's community policy issues, such as the rise in right-wing extremism, Noack advocated for maintaining clear distance from such forces in politics, emphasizing the importance of Brandenburg as a safe haven for people of all backgrounds, including refugees.
