Suspected supporters of far-right terrorist group in German custody

Following an attempted arson attack on an asylum seekers’ accommodation centre in Germany last year, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has had two suspected supporters of the far-right terrorist group Last Wave of Defence (Letzte Verteidigungswelle) arrested.

The Karlsruhe-based authority also accuses the German nationals of attempted murder, attempted arson resulting in death and attempted aggravated arson as accomplices.

They were arrested in the central state of Thuringia, according to a statement released on Friday. Both are currently in pre-trial detention.

No fire broke out

They are alleged to have attempted, together with accomplices, to set fire to the occupied asylum seekers’ accommodation in the town of Schmölln, in the Altenburger Land district of Thuringia, in the early hours of the morning in early January 2025.

“To this end, the group smashed a window and attempted to fire pyrotechnics, ignited using a fireworks battery, into the interior of the building,” the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office stated. However, no fire broke out.

According to the information provided, the accused are strongly suspected of having supported a domestic terrorist organization whilst still minors but with the capacity to act responsibly.

Officers from the Federal Criminal Police Office, with the support of Thuringian police forces, arrested them on Wednesday and Thursday in the Altenburger Land district and in the city of Gera.

An investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice has executed the arrest warrants.