Neo-Nazi process in Dortmund: Four Combat 18 ringleaders in court!

Neo-Nazi process in Dortmund: Four Combat 18 ringleaders in court!

Dortmund, Deutschland - A sensational process started today, June 26, 2025, before the Dortmund district court: Four suspected ringleaders of the right -wing extremist organization "Combat 18 Germany" are on trial. Despite the ban on the neo-Nazi group in 2020 by the then Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer, the accused are said to have continued the activities underground. This raises the question of how effective the club protection against violent extremists really is. ZDF reports that the group continues to be very popular despite its illegality and have organized events such as performance marches and right rock concerts.

The four accused, including the supposed leadership figure Stanley R. from Eisenach, is said to have continued the forbidden group in the underground. At the Dortmund district court, it is now being investigated to what extent they have violated the ban on the association. Tagesschau reports that the group, which has its origin in Great Britain, is still networked and has held monthly meetings in several federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia.

Again and again in criticism

The public prosecutor's announcements are alarming: Around a dozen events were cited as proof of the continuation of the illegal activities. Last year alone, the number of right -wing extremist crimes in Germany increased dramatically. According to Constitutional protection there were around 38,000 politically motivated crimes, whereby right-wing extremism is the greatest risk to democracy. This is underpinned by the increase by 47.4 % compared to the previous year.

The alleged defendants have so far been unimpressed by the allegations. Before the start of the negotiation, one of them demonstratively formed the White power sign-a clear sign that is considered a sign of provocative determination for many. The question remains: How can the state act against such aggressive currents if they obviously do not adhere to the laws?

a network with long tentacles

The group "Combat 18" is brought in connection with violent attacks in Europe, including the devastating nail bomb attack in London 1999. As Tagesschau, the Federal Office for Constitutional Protection stated that the members stated In the past, shifted to the EU to the EU to carry out training and even illegal training. Stanley R. is described as internationally well networked, which makes it considerably more difficult to combat such groups.