Raid on martial arts event by right-wing extremist party “III. Weg”

In the Westerwald, the police broke up a large meeting with a suspected right-wing extremist background during a major nighttime raid. A police spokesman said that night that the officers had recorded the personal details of the almost 130 participants in the event in parts of the so-called barrel factory in Hachenburg, Rhineland-Palatinate. According to initial findings, the police assume that a regional branch of the right-wing extremist micro-party “III. Weg” was the organizer.

There had previously been evidence of a martial arts event at this location, with participants from the “right-wing spectrum” from all over Germany and the Netherlands as well as “all ages” – including young people under 18. More than 200 officers were on duty.

According to police, a boxing ring was set up at the meeting. There were participants in martial arts clothing. The spokesman said it was to be assumed that the aim was to “strengthen the common ideology”. Perhaps things should “go a little more intensively”.

Raid on “III.Weg”: Police find drugs

In principle, the event was “a sporting event in a closed space,” not a matter of assembly law, said the spokesman. Therefore, no registration was necessary. According to the information, the right-wing extremist background is being investigated.

There were no arrests during the five-hour raid that night. There was no resistance when the personal details were established, said the spokesman. The officers seized numerous items that, according to the police, “definitely indicate right-wing extremist sentiments.”

The officers also registered a violation of the narcotics law and the weapons law, for example drugs were found. Further details were initially unclear. However, a firearm was not among the items seized, it was said. One of the participants insulted an officer with the expression “dirty pig.” The police had cordoned off the area and illuminated it with headlights.

“National Socialist, anti-Semitic and racist”

Rhineland-Palatinate Interior Minister Michael Ebling viewed the operation as evidence of the security authorities’ consistent approach: “We will not allow extremists to gather in our country and live out their anti-human ideologies and their culture of violence unhindered. Our zero-tolerance policy towards enemies of the constitution is non-negotiable,” said the SPD politician.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution writes in its latest report on the “III. Way” that the small party was founded in 2013 and now has around 800 members or supporters. Their ideological statements are “National Socialist, anti-Semitic and racist.” The rejection of the democratic constitutional state is clearly expressed in his political agitation, especially on the “issues of asylum and immigration, which are presented with aggressive rhetoric.” The “III. Way” has long been the focus of the Rhineland-Palatinate Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

According to the Rhineland-Palatinate Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Fassfabrik event location is a right-wing hub in the Westerwald. The III. Weg conducts “self-defense training” there at regular intervals. There are also “pub evenings” in conjunction with martial arts events for networking with other right-wing extremist actors.

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