Although they have been banned in Germany for many years, terrorist groups from the Middle East continue to operate in Berlin through various front organisations. Meanwhile, left-wing extremists are using climate protection to influence society, at least according to a new report by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

The far left and Islamist scenes were the largest extremist groups in Berlin in 2022. Last year, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution counted a total of 3,700 left-wing extremists and 2,270 Islamists, while it registered 1,450 right-wing extremists, according to a recent constitutional protection report.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the main factor shaping the aggressive Islamist scene last year, the authority stressed. Despite the bans, terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah were active in Berlin. They mainly used front organisations.

Landesverfassungsschutz Berlin

According to the study, Salafist propaganda has now spread to social and online media. Videos of Salafist sermons have been regularly produced and shared on the internet, which is now the most effective way to spread a certain ideology as widely as possible. The organisation called Hizb ut-Tahrir was particularly active. Despite the ban in force since 2003, the group has been spreading propaganda through social networks, also through front organisations.

Left-wing extremists are using climate change issues to gain a foothold in Berlin. The far-left group „Interventionistische Linke Berlin”, for example, has made a name for itself with a number of successful campaigns. In its internal publications, the group has openly declared its aim to abolish democracy and establish a communist system.

Landesverfassungsschutz Berlin