Right-wing violence | More and more right-wing extremist martial arts networks in Germany

The potential for violence in the right-wing scene is high – more and more right-wing extremists are taking up martial arts. Photo: dpa/Christoph Reichwein Berlin. The number of right-wing extremist martial arts groups in Germany is increasing. The federal government is currently aware of around 20 regional so-called Active Clubs. In June 2024 there were still about a dozen. This emerges from the response of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to a small question from the Greens parliamentary group, which the editorial network Germany (RND) reports on. The number of Active Clubs has increased significantly, particularly over the course of 2026. In addition, a “professionalization of the competence to use violence” can be observed.

The concept of Active Clubs comes from the USA. In fitness and martial arts groups, young men in particular are recruited for the right-wing extremist scene. There are now such groups all over the world. According to its own information, the federal government has not yet received any information about international networks between German and foreign active clubs. However, future connections cannot be ruled out.

According to the Federal Government, the groups' potential for violence and threats still exists. Regular martial arts training as well as martial videos and social media posts with which the groups showcased their ability to defend themselves indicated an increasing professionalization of their violence skills. However, there are currently no signs of direct conflict with political opponents. At the same time, the federal government is observing a high level of conspiratorial behavior and intensive efforts to recruit young men for the violent right-wing extremist spectrum.

The Green Party member of the Bundestag, Marlene Schönberger, criticized the fact that the federal government was unable to provide any information on the number of crimes committed in connection with the Active Clubs, nor was it aware of any perpetrators from these groups. So far, the groups have hardly appeared in criminal law. "This is a dangerous circular argument: the fact that the scene wants to stay under the radar is the core of its concept and not proof of its harmlessness," Schönberger told the RND.

Schönberger called for active clubs and right-wing extremist youth groups to be put on the agenda for the December meeting of the Conference of Interior Ministers. dpa/nd

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