German officials arrest 21 in neo-Nazi radio raids

Police op including 270 officers raids 22 apartments across 10 states; radio station site broadcasting extremist music had 135,000 hits.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS, JPOST.COM STAFF
Nazi exhibition Berlin 311 AP (photo credit: Associated Press)
Nazi exhibition Berlin 311 AP
(photo credit: Associated Press)
German officials say they have arrested 21 people, aged between 20 and 37, suspected of running an Internet radio station broadcasting neo-Nazi, far-right extremist music and views.
Joerg Ziercke, head of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, said Wednesday Klobenz prosecutors are investigating the group accused of being behind "Resistance Radio" on suspicion of forming a criminal organization, incitement, and other charges. It is illegal in Germany to display or promote Nazi symbols or ideologies.
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Ziercke's office said the arrests were made as 22 apartments were raided in various parts of Germany Wednesday. According to Reuters, the police operation included 270 officers who raided locations across 10 different states. A large amount of technical equipment was seized for investigation.
Ziercke said authorities have seen an increase in the use of music and Internet sites trying to attract young people to far-right groups.
Reuters reported that the radio station could be heard worldwide at all hours of the day and night and operated from a server based in the United States.
The website of the radio station is said to have had around 135,000 hits since last year.