The German government announced that the number of martial arts groups linked to the extreme right in the country increased to about 20 groups, compared to about June 12, 2024, and noted that the increase was especially noticeable during the year 2026.

The German government announced that the number of martial arts groups linked to the extreme right in the country increased to about 20 groups, compared to about June 12, 2024, and noted that the increase was especially noticeable during the year 2026.

The Ministry of the Interior said, in response to a parliamentary inquiry filed by the Green Party and seen by the German News Agency, that the authorities had noticed a "development towards professionalism in combat skills" in these groups known as "activist clubs". Its concept, which originated in the United States and later spread to several countries, is based on attracting young people to the extreme right through physical fitness and martial arts activities.

The ministry warned that these groups still pose a potential threat of violence, noting that some of them regularly train in martial arts and publish videos of fighting methods and content showing a willingness to use violence. Although no direct confrontations with political opponents have been recorded so far or international connections to these groups have been monitored, the government has confirmed that these groups operate in strict secrecy and make great efforts to attract young people to extreme right-wing circles that embrace violence.

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