COVID protests in Germany become more frequent and more extremist | DW News

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Published on Dec 18, 2021
Demonstrations against coronavirus restrictions are becoming more frequent and more violent -- with many ending in clashes with police. Authorities say right-wing extremists are exploiting the situation to push their own agenda. Some politicians are facing a campaign of intimidation. Protesters with flaming torches recently showed up outside the home of the health minister in the eastern state of Saxony. And earlier this week, police siezed weapons in a series of raids after death threats were made against Saxony's state premier. The government has warned of growing radicalization. But some who've spent their lives fighting extremism say the threat has always been there - it's just becoming more visible.

Police raided several locations in the eastern German city of Dresden on Wednesday after online threats were made against state Premier Michael Kretschmer and other members of the Saxony state government. In Dresden, police searched five properties, and another place was being searched in the nearby town of Heidenau. Prosecutors said five men and a woman, aged between 32 and 64, were targeted in the investigation. All of them are German nationals. Police have reason to believe the suspects were preparing to carry out violent acts. Officials in the German state of Saxony said "murder plans" against Premier Kretschmer were discussed via the Telegram messaging app. Death threats posted online and targeting Kretschmer were connected in large part with potential COVID-19 restrictions such as the possibility of mandatory vaccinations. Saxony has both one of the highest COVID-19 caseloads in Germany and one of the lowest vaccination rates. It was also once part of the former East Germany, where some vaccinations were mandatory by law. Dresden, the capital of Saxony, has seen numerous demonstrations against the government's COVID-19 policies and vaccines. The latest raids come just days after a group of far-right extremists held a torchlit rally in front of the home of Saxony's Health Minister Petra KÃ¶pping.

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