AfD city councilor Töpfer and neo-Nazi connections: A scandal in Erfurt!

AfD city councilor Töpfer and neo-Nazi connections: A scandal in Erfurt!

The neo-Nazi scene in Germany, especially in Thuringia, remains an explosive topic. Especially in recent years, the right-wing radical group “Knockout 51” has repeatedly been the focus of reporting. The role of their alleged ringleader Kevin N. and the involvement with the AfD, which are revealed in the current investigations, are now being examined individually.

Kevin N. is currently on trial for founding a terrorist organization. His contacts with extreme right-wing groups in Thuringia are a central point of the prosecution. The verdict is based on internal investigation results that indicate serious connections to Alexander Töpfer, an AfD city council member from Erfurt. Töpfer is said to have shared a basement room with Kevin N., in which not only propaganda material from the AfD and the “Junge Alternative” was found, but also a flag from the “Identitarian Movement” – an organization known for its anti-migrant and anti-LGBTQI+ attitudes.

Alexander Töpfer affair

Although Töpfer claims that he had no cooperation with “Knockout 51”, the authorities' investigation results classify him as part of the right-wing scene. In recent years there have been increasing reports of his activities in connection with the group “Kontrakultur Erfurt”, which is considered the successor to the “Identitarian Movement Thuringia”. This group repeatedly appeared with anti-migrant and aggressive actions. The Thuringian security authorities have classified the members of these groups as right-wing extremists, and the Interior Ministry does not see any direct connections to the AfD, but does recognize contacts with hooligan groups and right-wing extremist fraternities.

• Kevin N. wird als mutmaßlicher Rädelsführer der Gruppe „Knockout 51“ wahrgenommen.
• Töpfer soll ein Buch des Identitären-Chefs Martin Sellner auf Instagram geteilt haben.
• Ermittlungen zeigen Verbindungen zwischen Töpfer und der extremen rechten Organisation „Kontrakultur Erfurt“.
• Als auffallend gilt auch, dass Töpfer sich mit der „White Power“-Geste auf Instagram zeigte.

The picture emerging from these findings is worrying. Töpfer lost his position in the Bundeswehr in 2023, which increased skepticism about his positions and his commitment. Such circumstances raise questions about how deep the entanglements between politics and the extreme right in Thuringia actually are.

Developments in the right-wing scene

A look at history shows that the neo-Nazi scene in Thuringia is characterized by self-discovery and diverse divisions. In recent decades, groups that had previously operated in secret have been able to regroup again and again. The development of the neo-Nazi scene in Thuringia has different facets, ranging from riots and violations of public order to active propagation. The observations of the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution demonstrate the long-standing presence of right-wing extremists with considerable potential for violence.

The right-wing extremist scene remains well organized and is strongly networked with one another. In the 1990s, the number of neo-Nazis grew continuously and there were devastating attacks on migrants and left-wing opposition members. In the meantime, not only the organizational structure, but above all the ideology of these groups has evolved, which requires a flexible and contemporary response from politics and civil society.

The case of Kevin N. and his connections to Alexander Töpfer are just examples of the complex networks and challenges facing Thuringia. Coming to terms with these events is crucial in order to identify and combat future threats at an early stage.

Further details on this topic can be found in the reports from Thuringia24, MDR and Heinrich Böll Foundation Thuringia be removed.