German federal prosecutors have taken decisive legal action against a suspected right-wing extremist cell, charging eight individuals – several of them teenagers – with serious crimes including attempted murder.
Charges Laid Against Alleged Terror Cell
On Thursday 18 December 2025, the Federal Public Prosecutor General in Karlsruhe brought formal charges against the group. The accused, comprising seven alleged members and one supporter of a network dubbed a "right-wing extremist terrorist" organisation, face counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and causing grievous bodily harm.
The core allegation is that the group, which called itself "Last Defense Wave", actively sought to undermine Germany's democratic system. Their alleged method was to carry out violent attacks targeting migrants and political opponents.
The Group's Alleged Activities and Ideology
According to the prosecution, the cell was founded in May 2024 and viewed itself as the "final authority" for defending the "German nation". Their operational plans reportedly included arson and bomb attacks on asylum-seeker accommodations and left-wing institutions.
Most of the suspects were initially arrested in a major police operation in May. Five individuals aged between 14 and 21 were detained in the states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, and Hesse. Authorities simultaneously searched 13 properties across those regions as well as in Saxony and Thuringia. Three other suspects were already in custody at that time.
The federal prosecutor has linked the group to three specific incidents: an arson attack on a cultural centre in Altdöbern, Brandenburg; an attempted, but failed, attack on an asylum-seekers' home in Schmölln, Thuringia; and detailed plans to target another asylum accommodation in Senftenberg, Brandenburg. Fortunately, nobody was physically injured in these events.
Extreme Ideology and Pretrial Status
Documents released in July, cited by the German news agency DPA, revealed the group's chilling ambitions. Members allegedly aimed to "trigger a race war", hoping to initiate a spiral of violence that would preserve the "white race" and ultimately eliminate liberal democracy. Their online activity reportedly included posting racist and antisemitic messages on social media, along with glorifying the Nazi-era "Third Reich" and National Socialism.
Beyond the planned terrorist attacks, several members are also accused of personally robbing and beating individuals, causing significant injuries.
Due to the young age of some suspects, they were required to appear with their parents before an investigating judge. With the exception of one suspect released in July, all others remain in pretrial detention as the case proceeds.
