Berlin Police Officer Fined for Leaking Confidential Information Amid Right-Wing Attacks in Neukölln

A Berlin police officer has been handed a financial penalty after being found guilty of disclosing confidential police information in the context of a series of right-wing extremist attacks in the Neukölln district. The court determined that while the officer, identified as Norbert M., unlawfully shared internal police data, there was no evidence to suggest that this information was passed on to members of the far-right scene.

The investigation revealed that Norbert M., who was responsible for supporting victims of right-wing attacks, had sent sensitive police details to an acquaintance, Jennifer G., on multiple occasions. These disclosures included internal memos about Nazi graffiti incidents and scheduling plans, with at least one screenshot later forwarded to a member of the German parliament who had previously been targeted by the attacks.

The court sentenced M. to a fine based on 90 daily rates of 120 euros each. The judge emphasized that while M.'s actions compromised the integrity of police operations and public trust, there was no substantiated connection between the officer's actions and the right-wing extremist groups that had carried out the attacks in Neukölln. The court acknowledged that the transmission of such information did not benefit extremist elements directly, but criticized the officer for his lack of judgement and disregard for official protocols.

The case shed light on the broader context of the right-wing crime spree in Neukölln, which has included over 70 politically motivated offenses, such as arson and vandalism, since its onset. These attacks primarily targeted individuals and institutions associated with anti-fascist or left-wing activism. In late 2024, two individuals affiliated with neo-Nazi circles were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in several of the attacks. A parliamentary inquiry is currently underway, with a final report expected in 2026, to further examine the series of events and the official responses.

Jennifer G., the recipient of the leaked information, became a subject of interest in the investigation due to her activities within the right-wing scene, which she maintained were for personal information gathering purposes. Despite prior suspicions by law enforcement, both the current court and previous inquiries found no credible evidence of her acting as an informant for far-right groups. Instead, she was considered to be aligned with left-wing politics and had previously worked for the German military before her dismissal in 2022.

Norbert M. had been a member of specialized police units dealing with right-wing extremism in Neukölln for nearly a decade, working closely with victims and community groups affected by the attacks. According to court findings, his actions stemmed from a misguided attempt to support ongoing investigations and foster community engagement, rather than from malicious intent or ideological alignment with extremist groups. However, the court maintained that his breaches of confidentiality represented a serious lapse in professional conduct and highlighted the need for clearer boundaries and oversight within law enforcement agencies.

Authorities continue to investigate the wider implications of the information leaks and their potential impact on ongoing cases and public confidence in the police. The Neukölln attacks remain a major focus of both law enforcement and political scrutiny, with efforts underway to improve cooperation between authorities and communities affected by right-wing violence.