Police Action Day: 65 Raids Targeting Online Hate Speech

On Wednesday, law enforcement agencies across Germany conducted coordinated operations aimed at combatting illegal hate speech on the internet. This marked the 12th action day organized by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) to address the rising issue of criminal online postings.

According to the BKA, approximately two-thirds of the online posts under investigation are linked to right-wing and extremist ideologies. The primary offenses include incitement to hatred, the use of symbols associated with unconstitutional or terrorist organizations, and the endorsement of criminal acts, in addition to various forms of defamation.

In total, 180 police actions were executed in over 140 investigations throughout all federal states. Authorities reported the execution of more than 65 search warrants as part of these operations.

In Hesse, for instance, investigations are underway against 12 individuals accused of inciting hatred, some of whom have previous criminal records. Meanwhile, in Brandenburg, cases involving the use of Nazi symbols and insults directed at political figures have emerged. Similar searches were conducted in Bavaria, where several locations were targeted across multiple administrative districts.

The BKA emphasized the alarming increase in reported cases of criminal hate speech online, noting that such incidents have quadrupled from 2021 to 2024. Individuals who encounter or are affected by such content are encouraged to report it to their local police departments. Many federal states have established online portals that allow for anonymous reporting. Additionally, users are advised to notify social media platforms to facilitate the removal of harmful content, with various reporting channels available.

This initiative underscores the ongoing commitment of German law enforcement to combat hate speech, reflecting a broader societal effort to create a safer online environment. The actions taken during the police action day serve as a reminder of the authorities' resolve to address this pressing issue and protect individuals from online harassment and discrimination.