German Court Sentences Eight Far-Right 'Last Defense Wave' Members to Prison
On August 5, 2026, the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg convicted eight members of the far-right terrorist group 'Last Defense Wave,' aged 14–22 at arrest, for planning and executing arson and explosive attacks on refugee shelters and leftist targets in Germany. Sentences under juvenile law ranged from 1.5 to 5 years, with three ringleaders identified. The group, dismantled in May 2025, carried out attacks in Altdöbern and Schmölln in 2024–2025; no injuries occurred, partly by chance. The verdicts are not yet final.
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Eight Members of Right-Wing Extremist Group 'Last Defense Wave' Sentenced to Prison in Hamburg
The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg has sentenced eight members of the right-wing extremist group 'Last Defense Wave' to prison terms of up to five years. The group planned and carried out attacks on asylum accommodations and left-wing facilities. The verdict was reported by German news outlet Die Welt on August 5, 2026. The sentences reflect the severity of the group's violent actions targeting migrants and political opponents, highlighting ongoing efforts by German authorities to combat right-wing extremism and domestic terrorism.
German Court Sentences Young Far-Right Terror Group Members to Prison
On August 5, 2026, the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg sentenced eight members of the right-wing extremist terrorist group 'Last Defense Wave' to youth prison terms ranging from one and a half to five years. The defendants, aged 14 to 21 at the time of the offenses, were found guilty of membership in or support of a terrorist organization, attempted murder, serious arson, and dangerous bodily harm. The group, founded in April 2024 by Jason R. and Benjamin H., used the SS Death's Head as its logo and promoted the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory. They planned and carried out attacks on refugees and political opponents, including a nighttime arson attack on an inhabited cultural center in Altdöbern in October 2024 and a pyrotechnic attack on a refugee shelter in Schmölln, Thuringia, in January 2025. The court noted that no one was killed in the attacks likely due to chance. The youngest defendant received a suspended sentence. The trial was held behind closed doors due to the defendants' ages, with the verdict announced publicly after 28 trial days.
Seven Young Right-Wing Extremists Sentenced to Prison in Hamburg
The Hamburg Higher Regional Court sentenced seven members and one supporter of the right-wing extremist group 'Last Defense Wave' to prison terms ranging from one and a half to five years. The defendants, aged 15 to 22, were found guilty of founding and leading a terrorist organization, attempted murder, attempted arson resulting in death, and other offenses. The group, dismantled in May 2025, had planned explosive and arson attacks on refugees and leftists, and had already carried out initial acts, including a nighttime arson attack on a cultural center in Altdöbern and a pyrotechnic attack on a refugee shelter in Schmölln. No injuries occurred, partly by chance. The judge noted that confessions were largely characterized by remorse, and some defendants joined deradicalization programs, but one defendant wrote 'Our terror network stands.' The verdicts are not yet final.
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Trial against Last Defense Wave: Up to five years in prison for young Nazis
On August 5, 2026, the Hamburg Higher Regional Court convicted eight young members and supporters of the far-right terrorist group 'Last Defense Wave' for membership in a terrorist organization and attempted murder. The neo-Nazi cell had planned deadly explosive and arson attacks targeting refugees and leftists, and carried out initial acts including an arson attack on a cultural center in Altdöbern, Brandenburg in October 2024 and a pyrotechnics attack on a refugee shelter in Schmölln, Thuringia in January 2025. No injuries occurred, sometimes only by chance. Sentences under juvenile criminal law ranged from two years and four months to five years in prison, with one defendant receiving a suspended sentence of one and a half years. Three defendants were convicted as ringleaders. The group was dismantled by security forces in May 2025, with suspects aged 14 to 21 at the time of arrest. The trial was partially closed to the public due to the defendants' ages.
German Court Sentences Eight Far-Right 'Last Defense Wave' Members to Up to Five Years in Prison
The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg has convicted eight members of the far-right extremist group 'Last Defense Wave' on charges including membership in a terrorist organization and attempted murder. Sentences ranged from two years and four months to five years in prison under juvenile criminal law, with one defendant receiving a suspended sentence of one and a half years. Three defendants were also convicted as ringleaders. The group, composed of suspects aged 14 to 21 at the time of their arrest, had planned explosive and arson attacks on refugees and leftists. They had already carried out initial acts, including a nighttime arson attack on an inhabited cultural center in Altdöbern in October 2024 and a pyrotechnic attack on a refugee shelter in Schmölln in January 2025. No injuries occurred, which investigators attributed partly to chance. The group was dismantled by security forces in May 2025, with arrests in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, and Hesse. The presiding judge described the acts as an attempt to 'bring about chaos.'