Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) banned the far-right association “Hammerskins Deutschland” as well as its regional branches and the sub-organization “Crew 38”. As the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs announced, police forces searched the offices of 28 suspected members of the association in the early hours of the morning in 10 federal states: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Thuringia.

The Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs said the association was directed “against the constitutional order and the idea of ​​international understanding”. In addition, the aims and activities of the association are against criminal law.

Even far-right people who are not members are ideologized at the group’s concert events. According to the ministry, the federal and state governments worked together for more than a year to prepare for the ban. There was also cooperation with US partner officials.

The neo-Nazi group is an extension of a US group and has existed in Germany since the early 1990s. Far-right organizations banned in recent years include “Combat 18” and “Nordadler”. According to the ministry, this is the 20th ban imposed by the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs on a far-right organisation.

Federal Interior Minister Faeser said the ban was “a harsh blow against organized right-wing extremism”. This sends “a clear signal against racism and anti-Semitism.” Right-wing extremism remains “the greatest extremist threat to our democracy.” “That’s why we continue to act with all our determination to destroy far-right structures.” he emphasized.