The German Ministry of the Interior announced today, Friday, that reported crimes in the country related to right-wing political extremism have increased in 2023.

The ministry stated that a total of 28,945 crimes linked to right-wing extremism were recorded in 2023, compared to 23,493 such crimes in the previous year.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: "According to preliminary police figures for 2023, we assume that acts of violence and violent right-wing extremist crimes have continued to increase significantly."

She noted that the rise is likely linked to the growing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party.

Faeser told the German news agency (dpa): "Those who consistently stir up racism and blatant contempt for humanity, like the Alternative for Germany party and its supporters, have become louder in recent years."

She added that this creates "an atmosphere of resentment and violence, which also leads to more criminal and violent right-wing extremist acts."

Faeser indicated that a new package of measures targeting right-wing extremism, submitted last February, aims to deprive extremists of their income, confiscate their weapons, dismantle extremist networks, and swiftly and consistently bring offenders to justice.