Germany’s public prosecutor is investigating a paratrooper regiment for antisemitism and right-wing extremism, a spokesperson for its Defense Ministry announced on Monday.
The investigation into the 26th Paratrooper Regiment in Zweibrucken began in June, when several female soldiers of the regiment submitted reports to the Bundestag’s Armed Forces Commissioner. Out of the regiment’s total of 1,500, 55 soldiers have been accused.
As well as right-wing extremism, the regiment is being investigated for violent rituals, sexual misconduct, and drug abuse. Multiple soldiers have been accused of sexual assault, and at least 30 of involvement in antisemitic or far Right incidents. There are 200 individual offenses on record so far.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) sources inside the regiment reported “Hitler salutes and an alleged Nazi party” and referred to the soldiers as a “right-wing extremist, openly antisemitic clique.” Women in the troupe reported exhibitionism and jokes about rape fantasies.
So far, 19 soldiers are being investigated by the Zweibrücken prosecutor’s office, mainly for drug offenses. Several soldiers have already been dismissed, according to Defense Ministry spokesman Kenneth Harms.
Pistorius shocked by misconduct at Zweibrücken base
The press spokesman for Airborne Brigade 1 told the German Press Agency that no individual facts can be confirmed or denied as long as the public prosecutor’s office and the military disciplinary prosecutor’s office are investigating.
“When we found out what was going on in Zweibrücken, we were almost speechless,” Commander Harald Gante told FAZ.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) told the German Press Agency that he was shocked by the incidents. He also criticized the behavior of the military leadership, noting that “the misconduct on site was apparently not immediately recognized as such and was therefore not prosecuted with the necessary consistency.”
The army plans to submit a status report and an action plan to the Defense Ministry at the beginning of next week.
According to FAZ, the “Airborne Force Action Plan” will provide information about the investigations and personnel measures taken, as well as the responses to the incidents of right-wing extremism, sexualized misconduct, and drug use.
In 2020, Germany’s defence minister dissolved a company of special forces for its extreme right-wing attitude.
Members of the Kommando Spezialkraefte unit were found to have performed the Hitler salute, listened to right-wing extremist music, and created a “wall of secrecy.”
The Jerusalem Post contacted the Zweibrucken public prosecutor’s office for comment, but had no response by press time.