Political crimes at the highest level in Germany

Banner "Stay away from right-wing ideologies and conspiracy theories", in Berlin on May 23, 2020. AFP - JOHN MACDOUGALL

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1 min

Not since the introduction of statistics on political crimes in Germany in 2001 have their numbers been so high.

The figures presented on May 10 in Berlin by the Minister of the Interior show an increase of 23% last year compared to 2020.

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With our correspondent in Berlin,

Two main factors explain the significant increase in political crime in 2021: the explosion of crimes linked to protests against anti-Covid measures (+150%), but also the general elections of last September.

In 2017, during the previous election, crimes related to the electoral campaign were half as high as in 2021. These two factors also explain why attacks against police officers and politicians increased significantly in 2021. Physical violence in the total increased by 15%.

The resurgence of anti-Semitic offenses – again an absolute record since the creation of these statistics twenty years ago – shocks Germany because of its past.

"

," said the Minister of the Interior, explaining that anti-Semitic offenses had increased by nearly 30% last year.

An increase which is also partly explained by the demonstrations where participants wore yellow stars equating anti-Covid measures with the persecution of Jews under the Third Reich.

► To read also: Germany: dragnet against the far-right movement and antivax

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• Germany

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• Justice