What's happened
A German-Polish dual citizen was detained in Dortmund for allegedly running a darknet platform that published death lists and instructions for violence against public figures, including former chancellors Merkel and Scholz. The suspect is accused of terror financing and inciting violence, with investigations ongoing.
What's behind the headline?
This case exemplifies the increasing threat of online extremism targeting political figures in Germany. The suspect’s platform, which published death lists and solicited cryptocurrency donations for violence, reflects a dangerous convergence of cybercrime and political violence. The involvement of far-right ideologies and the suspect’s links to the Reichsbürger movement suggest a broader trend of anti-government extremism. The German authorities’ response indicates a focus on countering such threats, but the case underscores the challenge of monitoring and disrupting online platforms that facilitate violence. The timing, amid rising polarization, suggests this will likely intensify, prompting further security measures and public awareness campaigns. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing laws against online incitement and terror financing.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Merkel and Scholz were on a list of targets, with authorities noting the suspect’s platform published personal data and death sentences. Al Jazeera emphasizes the suspect’s calls for attacks and the platform’s content, including explosives instructions. AP News highlights the suspect’s calls for violence and the ongoing investigation since June, with authorities not linking him to foreign actors. All sources agree on the seriousness of the threat and the suspect’s role in inciting violence through a darknet platform, reflecting a broader rise in cyber and political extremism in Germany.
How we got here
The suspect, known as Martin S., has been under investigation since June for calling for attacks on German public figures via a darknet platform. Authorities linked him to far-right movements and found content related to violence, personal data, and explosives instructions. The case highlights rising political polarization and cyber threats in Germany.
Go deeper
- What are the legal consequences for online incitement in Germany?
- How are authorities monitoring darknet platforms for threats?
- What impact does this case have on political security measures?
More on these topics
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Dortmund is the third-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia after Cologne and Düsseldorf, and the eighth-largest city of Germany, with a population of 588,250 inhabitants as of 2021.
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Olaf Scholz is a German politician serving as Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor under Chancellor Angela Merkel since 14 March 2018.
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Angela Dorothea Merkel is a German politician who has been Chancellor of Germany since 2005. She served as the Leader of the Christian Democratic Union from 2000 to 2018.