Hass online: Investigations into Delmenhorster Group investigations

Hass online: Investigations into Delmenhorster Group investigations

Delmenhorst, Deutschland - The events related to hate crimes in Delmenhorst are increasingly dramatic. In the Facebook group "Delmenhorst our city" is currently being investigated. According to Weser-Kurier , this group is difficult to check. However, it is known that in the past few months numerous problematic and criminal -relevant contributions have been posted that not only disturb public order, but also split society.

A particularly worrying picture that was recently published shows the New York Statue of Freedom, which is hit by a rocket. Previously, a burning Israel flag was emblazoned as the cover picture of this group. It is clear that such representations are highly problematic in a sensitive context, especially against the background of the current Middle East conflict. The State Protection of the Delmenhorst police inspection has therefore recorded investigations several times and saw and secured various contributions.

Investigations and legal steps

In the context of the investigation, criminal proceedings were initiated for suspected sedition. The Göttingen public prosecutor's office has presented the group's pictures for legal appreciation in order to counteract the increasing hatred on the Internet. Police spokesman Albert Seegers advises against acting actively against such excesses. "Freedom of expression protects personal and political views, but the border is reached when the dignity of a person is attacked," says Seegers.

The central response point for combating hate crime on the Internet (ZHIN) is already working closely with local police stations in order to efficiently bundle procedures and to counteract democracy -insignific tendencies. Although the police are currently not classifying the group as a concrete threat to the social climate, the warning of the danger potential of hate comments remains, since they also reflect current political conflicts.

an example of hate postings

The topic of hate on the Internet receives additional explosiveness due to the case of the Delmenhorster AfD councilor Lothar Mandalka. According to Delmenews.de , Mandalka published a posting in June 2023, in which he published the Greens with National Socialists compared. In his now prohibited contribution, the saying "Green Empire - his Holocaust is the murder of their own people" was portrayed in a picture that showed the imperial eagle with the sunflower of the Greens, instead of the traditional swastika. This incident led to an advertisement by the Delmenhorster Greens and finally to a criminal order for sedition.

Mandalka was sentenced to 2,400 euros in finals in 2024, which is with 40 daily rates of 60 euros. However, he denies to be responsible for the posting, but admitted that this content is insulting. A topic that was also mentioned in the state protection report of the State of Lower Saxony shows the dangers of hatred and agitation proven to date.

Development and starting point

A look beyond the borders of Delmenhorst shows that the number of police-registered hate posts in Germany has quadrupled over the past four years, as the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported. Nationwide, the authorities carry out numerous operations against the author of such contributions to stop the spread of hate. The clear signal from Delmenhorst, in conjunction with nationwide developments, is that it is decided against hatred and agitation in order to promote the most respectful coexistence.