German interior minister: Young extremists more violent-prone
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has warned of an increasing propensity for violence among young far-right extremists.
"We are observing a significant rise in the radicalization of young people. The willingness to commit violence among youths is growing strongly within the far-right scene," the conservative Bavarian politician told Funke Media Group in comments published on Monday.
Security authorities have also identified this trend among left-wing extremists and young Islamists.
The "rise in political violence" is another indication of a "disruptive mechanism" within society, Dobrindt said. The state must counter this "with communication and education," he emphasized, adding that the problems faced by young people must also be addressed.
Local education efforts are key
Preventing politically-motivated violence must primarily happen at the local level, Dobrindt explained. "Education against this extreme propaganda can best be provided by local networks in cities and municipalities, such as in schools, clubs or youth centres," he said.
People in local institutions have the "best sensitivity to detect when a young person is becoming radicalized. And ideally, they have the most direct influence on the individual."
The president of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Holger Münch, recently warned that the criminal far-right youth scenes are growing, saying countering this was a task for society as a whole.
At the end of May, the Federal Prosecutor's Office arrested five very young individuals suspected of belonging to a far-right terrorist cell.
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