Authorities in Germany detained a dozen members of a newly formed far-right group they say were planning 10 separate attacks across the country, including at mosques.
The men were arrested on Friday and are alleged to belong to the group Der harte Kern, which means, “The Hard Core.” Investigators said the group was formed in September using social media and recently held a meeting where they discussed plans for the attacks. The BBC reported the news in English, citing local newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
Four of the men were arrested on suspicion that they formed Der harte Kern, and the others are accused of providing the group with weapons, money, and other support. An infiltrator in the group reportedly tipped off investigators about the group’s existence.
During last week’s meeting prior to the arrests, members allegedly discussed carrying out attacks similar to last year’s mosque shootings in New Zealand that killed 51 worshipers. Authorities said that Der harte Kern hoped the attacks would provoke counter-attacks, culminating in a civil war.
Police said they found guns and materials used to make bombs during raids related to locations tied to the group.
Germany, and eastern Germany, in particular, has seen a spike in far-right support, and right-wing extremism has become a growing issue. In November, two people were killed and two injured after a gunman opened fire outside a synagogue in Halle during Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday.
