Number of right-wing crimes has risen sharply

The number of crimes with a right-wing background rose sharply in 2024. This is the result of an analysis of minor questions that Left Party politician Juliane Nagel regularly submits to the state parliament on this topic. According to this, the police recorded a total of 4,200 cases last year - more than eleven per day and more than ever before in the state, as the Left Party parliamentary group in the state parliament announced. It pointed out that this is a provisional figure. In 2023, the figure was 2,704.

Left-wingers speak of an alarming all-time high

"One thing is already clear: this is an alarming all-time high," Nagel told the German Press Agency, speaking of an unprecedented leap upwards. "The dramatic development is probably at least partly due to the recent 'super election year': A particularly high number of crimes occurred in May (590) and August (485), immediately before the European and local elections as well as the state elections." More than 200 cases involved the destruction of election posters.

Majority of offences propaganda offences

Most of the offences (79 percent) involved so-called propaganda offences such as the use of symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations and incitement to hatred. However, these cases are often accompanied by damage to property. The statistics also mention 105 cases of bodily harm, most of which were directed against migrants. Five arsons were also recorded. One asylum shelter was attacked with pyrotechnics; this case is classified as an explosives attack.

Left-wing politician assumes a widespread phenomenon

Over 1,000 cases are labeled as "xenophobic" and "xenophobic". The regional distribution shows clear strongholds: Most right-wing acts occurred in the cities of Leipzig (604) and Dresden (545), followed by the districts of Zwickau (471) and Bautzen (363). "We are undoubtedly dealing with a widespread phenomenon that needs to be tackled across the board," emphasized Nagel. A new edition of the overall concept against right-wing extremism is needed.

Crimes committed by suspected left-wingers also increased

A total of 8,058 crimes were classified as politically motivated in Saxony in 2024. The crimes committed by suspected left-wing perpetrators rose from 1,098 to 1,342 within one year. 153 cases were attributed to a "foreign ideology" or "religious ideology". The majority of the remaining offenses could not be clearly assigned and are reported under "other".