Munich, February 2 – Munich police on Saturday evening detained 37 individuals, primarily young men and women, who had gathered for a ‘networking meeting’ at a pub in the Sendling district. The operation was described as a ‘control action in the sense of police law,’ according to a press release. Participants were individually processed to ascertain their identities, as reported by the ‘Süddeutsche Zeitung’.
Far-Right Group Under Scrutiny
The group identifies itself as the Munich branch of the ‘Patriotic Movement’ and positions itself as a competitor to the far-right ‘Identitarian Movement’. Similar to its Austrian counterpart, founded by Martin Sellner, these activists film their nocturnal activities and disseminate them online. The Munich branch claims to have over 6,000 followers on Instagram. The ‘Patriotic Movement’ reportedly seeks to establish itself as a preliminary organization for the AfD.
According to police, the pub owner in Sendling was not informed of the true nature of the meeting, which was declared a regular’s table. Around 7:00 PM, the group marched in ‘closed formation’ through the district, as noted by the ‘Süddeutsche Zeitung’. Upon their return to the pub around 8:00 PM, 60 police officers were reportedly waiting.
Inter-State Travel and Weapon Seizure
The police headquarters stated that participants, responding to a ‘call from a patriotically-minded social media channel’, had traveled from various parts of Germany. The organizer was identified as a man from the Augsburg area. Criminal charges were filed against one individual for violating the Weapons Act after a knuckle duster was found in their possession. Additionally, police are investigating property damage related to stickers found in the vicinity of the pub and in adjacent streets leading to Westpark.
The newspaper cited research by the Berlin-based ‘Rechercheplattform zur Identitären Bewegung’, which revealed that ‘Munich Patriots’ stickers also depicted NSDAP slogans. These were reportedly designed with Fraktur script and ‘black-white-red dogwhistling’-allusions understood only within the far-right scene.
Hate Speech and Discriminatory Messaging
The group’s activities have previously been observed around the Technical University and at the Bavaria on Theresienwiese. These actions involved incitement against queer individuals and democratic parties, with a particular focus on migrants. The ‘Munich Patriots’ have reportedly used racist slogans about ‘remigration’ accompanied by the symbol of a deportation plane.
The police intervention underscores ongoing efforts to monitor and address far-right activities within Germany, particularly in the wake of increasing concerns about extremist groups and their online presence. The investigation by state security is expected to delve deeper into the group’s organizational structure, funding, and broader network.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by authorities in curbing the spread of extremist ideologies and hate speech, especially when groups utilize social media to organize and disseminate their messages. The use of ‘dogwhistling’ and coded language further complicates identification and prosecution efforts.
Local authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining public order and safety, emphasizing that any form of extremism or incitement to hatred will be met with a firm response. The ongoing investigation is crucial for understanding the extent of the ‘Patriotic Movement’s’ influence and its connections within the broader far-right landscape in Germany.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by far-right extremism and the necessity for continuous vigilance and proactive measures by law enforcement agencies. The focus on identifying participants and investigating related offenses, such as property damage and weapon possession, reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing such activities.
