German authorities are concerned that neo-Nazi groups have the means to manufacture poison gas, the mass-circulation Bild newspaper reported last week.
This latest concern surfaced as a result of “obscure substances and chemicals” found in a nationwide raid of about 80 apartments of neo-Nazis late last month, the paper reported.
The Bild quoted a secret report of the Federal Criminal Bureau. According to the publication, one investigator said, “We have reason to believe that rightist extremists will no longer shy [away] from poison gas terrorist attacks.”
The revelations come as a human rights group reported that right-wing harassment of foreigners, Jews and homosexuals increased in 1994.
There were 1,040 anti-Semitic crimes reported in 1994, a 60 percent increase over the previous year, according to Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based group.
In contrast to the increased in harassment, violent attacks decreased from 2,232 cases in 1993 to 1,233 in the first 11 months of 1994.
The group praised Germany for its efforts to combat these problems.
Three days after the apartment raids last month, German police struck a major blow at neo-Nazi groups when 231 skinheads were apprehended while traveling to a concert in the eastern German town of Triptis.
In the apartment raids last month, German police also found various weapons and ammunition and illegal anti-Semitic propaganda published by neo-Nazi Gary Luck of Nebraska, who heads the National Socialist German Workers’ Party-Foreign Organization. Germany has since asked for the extradition of Lauck, who is being held in Denmark.
But the chemicals have authorities particularly worried in the wake of last month’s gas terror attacks in the Tokyo subways, another investigator told the German newspaper.
Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel has expressed concern that the Tokyo attacks represent a new method in international terrorism. he also warned against the growing danger of terrorists using “pocketbook” radioactive arms.
Meanwhile, German police continued their crackdown on neo- Nazi activity last week. On April 6, they broke up a neo-Nazi rally in Ludwigsburg and reportedly seized knives and illegal racist writings.
Also, in Dortmund, a court handed down suspended sentences and fines to 11 neo- Nazis who had harassed leftists and covered walls with neo-Nazi graffiti.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
