Coup plans/ Lawsuit against "Saxon separatists"

2025-09-12 09:27:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

They were preparing for a violent change of power in Germany with paramilitary exercises. Now, the Federal Prosecutor's Office will put eight "Saxon Separatists" on trial.

Ten months after the dissolution of the neo-Nazi group "Saxon Separatists," the Federal Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against eight suspected members. According to Germany's top prosecutor, the group's ideology was characterized by racist, anti-Semitic and, in some cases, apocalyptic ideas.

"Its members were united by a profound rejection of the liberal and democratic order of the Federal Republic of Germany," according to the Federal Prosecutor's Office. The group, founded in 2020, allegedly planned to occupy territories in eastern Germany by force of arms on an unspecified "X-day" in order to create a National Socialist-oriented state there. "Moreover, the aim was to eliminate undesirable groups of people from the area, especially members of ethnic minorities and political opponents, through ethnic cleansing." The young men were arrested last November at various locations in Saxony and neighboring Poland. According to the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur, the oldest was 25 years old at the time.

The defendants remain in custody. The Dresden Regional Court must now decide whether to accept the charges against the eight defendants and when to set a trial date. "Investigations are continuing against other members or supporters of the association who are not in custody," the Federal Prosecutor's Office said. The group practiced urban warfare

According to the investigation, the "Saxon separatists" were constantly engaged in paramilitary training with combat equipment. "The main practice was urban combat, gunfire, night and forced marches, as well as patrols," it said. In addition, the group, which reportedly numbered about 20 members, had obtained military equipment, such as camouflage suits, combat helmets, gas masks and protective vests.

According to investigations by the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) television network, three of the defendants were former members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is partly classified as "right-wing extremist". One of them will also be charged with attempted murder. According to the Federal Prosecutor's Office, during his arrest, he pointed a loaded and unsecured rifle at a police officer. The officer fired first in self-defense, wounding the former local AfD politician. The regional AfD association in Saxony distanced itself from the group./ DW