German far-right buys land for military training

Right-wing extremists are moving into property to set up bases for their activities and anchor themselves in local communities, German intelligence services have warned.

Neo-Nazis are seeking land and buildings in rural parts of eastern states, officials said. In Saxony the number of buildings known to be owned by far-right groups rose by five last year to 27.

Nationwide, right-wing extremists own 146 properties, according to official estimates. Analysts suspect the true figure is far higher. “It’s part of the Nazi ideology of ‘blood and land’,” Nicholas Potter, an expert on right-wing extremism at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, said. “They’re trying to gain footholds wherever they can.”

He said that the funding was generated by a “far-right economy” based on publishing, merchandise and hosting rock