Neo-Nazi attack on a variety of festivals in Bad Freienwalde: Two injuries!

Neo-Nazi attack on a variety of festivals in Bad Freienwalde: Two injuries!

Bad Freienwalde, Deutschland - in Bad Freienwalde there was a threatening incident on Sunday afternoon, during the variety of "Bad Freienwalde is colorful". The event, which is committed to a various society and is fighting against queer hostility, was attacked by a group of about a dozen masked, just before the festival was officially started. At least two people were injured, and eyewitnesses reported brutal strokes and the use of quartz sand gloves by the attackers. There were already evidence of a possible disorder in advance, but the police were not on site during the incident, which the head of the meeting strongly criticized.

As reports the [rbb] (https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/2025/06/brandenburg-bad-freienwalde-bunt- Vielfalt-ta-ermittelt-polizei.html), the police are now investigating a group of ten to fifteen people due to particularly heavy breach of the peace. The focus is on a 21-year-old suspect from Bliesdorf, who is part of the right-wing extremist scene. He has already participated in similar attacks in the past and is committed to the neo -Nazi small party "The Third Way". Another example of his criminal records shows that in 2024 he tried to violently disrupt the diversity festival, but was prevented by the participants.

right -wing extremism in the region

The incidents in Bad Freienwalde throw a sharp light on the current situation of right -wing extremism in Germany and especially in this region. According to the Protection of the Constitution, the numbers of right-wing extremist crimes have increased. In 2024 there were a total of 37,835 offenses, which corresponds to an increase of 47.4 % compared to the previous year. The increase in violent attacks, which have increased by 11.6 % to 1,281 cases, is particularly striking.

A right-wing extremism expert emphasizes that there is a strong right of youth culture, especially in Bad Freienwalde. This could explain why the AfD became the strongest political force in the region in the last federal election with over 40 % of the votes. Groups such as "German youth forward" and the neo -Nazi organization "III. Weg" are active there and are suspected of splitting society.

reactions and outlook

The incident on Sunday also attracted politics. Interior Minister René Wilke critically commented on the violence and visited Bad Freienwalde to speak to those affected. Despite the brutal attacks, around 400 people took part in the festival, including many queer people and people with flight and migration experiences. Despite the impending threat, the alliance "Bad Freienwalde is colorful" continues to campaign for a solidarity and diverse society, which became clear by the courage and determination of the participants.

The events in Bad Freienwalde only reflects part of the major problem that many German cities look for when it comes to increasing right -wing extremist activities and attacks. It is to be hoped that the police investigations are successful and that further acts of violence of this kind can be prevented.

For further information on the background and developments of right-wing extremism in Germany, the taz can also be consulted.