Germany’s federal police agency, BKA (Bundeskriminalamt), released a statement saying that around 60 people were searched. Most of the suspects were accused of posting hate speech, which includes anti-Semitic, extremist and xenophobic messages.
The raids were carried out in 14 provinces and 25 police departments took part in it. As a result, dozens of legal investigations have been opened. This is the first time German police have conducted nationwide raids over hate content posted on the internet.
One of the main targets of the raids was a Facebook group in Bavaria. The group’s members glorify Nazism.
Thomas de Maiziere, Germany’s Interior Minister, said violent language was not acceptable. He added that violent language lays the groundwork for real life violence. The government warned that there are severe penalties for those who post hate speech on the internet.
Under German federal law, those who spread information that encourages violence due to their religious background or ethnic background faces up to three years in jail.
Holger Münch, the chief of the BKA, said the raids conducted make one thing clear. It means police are committed to tackling hate speech on the internet. The chief added that attacks on refugee homes are often a result of hateful content on the internet.
Under German law, a number of people have already been faced with heavy fines for posting racist content on social media. Some have been fined around $5,500.
One of the most notorious cases involved Lutz Bachmann, the leaders of Pegida, an xenophobic organization. Bachmann was fined around $10,000 for calling refugees scum in Facebook posts.
