Army Commissioner in the German Parliament: There are 477 new cases of right-wing extremism among the army

The number of new suspected cases of right-wing extremism within the ranks of the German army rose to 477, last year, said Commissioner for Army Affairs in the German Parliament, Eva Hogl, on Tuesday, in Berlin, based on data from the Military Intelligence Agency.

According to the report, in 2019, 363 cases of right-wing extremism were recorded in the army.

The number of those who call themselves “Reichsbars” and “self-administrators” increased to 31 cases, up from 16 in 2019.

With regard to Islamist extremism, the number of new suspected cases among the army decreased from 77 in 2019 to 31 in 2020.

About the role of the Military Intelligence Agency in uncovering these cases, Hogl said: “The Military Intelligence Agency performs an important function in combating extremism and must be strengthened more in terms of employment,” noting that the increase in suspicion shows that there is still a need to take action at all levels.

In the military when it comes to right-wing extremism, she said: “It takes firm, comprehensive and rapid awareness-raising, sanctions, and prevention. 

This is a permanent task – in society as a whole and therefore in the German army”.

Hogl emphasized that political education is the solution, adding that it should be “an integral part of the daily service”.

This is Hogl’s first annual report on the status of the German army after she took office the previous year. 

According to Article 45b of the Constitution, the Commissioner for the Armed Forces of the German Parliament assists in the parliamentary oversight of the armed forces, but he is also considered a lawyer for soldiers, who can turn to him at any time.