NEO NAZIS IN GERMAN ‘SAS’ ELITE
Vow to root out extremists
Far-right extremists have infiltrated Germany’s Sas-style commando unit, its top officer warned.
Brigadier-general Markus Kreitmayr vowed to root out neo-nazis in the Special Forces Command (KSK) after a sergeant major was caught with a hoard of weapons and Nazi regalia.
Mr Kreitmayr warned the reputation of the elite force and the entire German army – known as the Bundeswehr – was now “on the line”.
In a letter to every member of the unit, he wrote: “I clearly, unambiguously and resolutely address all those who may still be in our ranks and sympathise with the far-right spectrum.
“You do not deserve our comradeship!
“You do not belong to us!
“You must leave this unit and Bundeswehr of your own initiative.
“If not, be sure that we will find you and remove you.”
In the past, a number of soldiers in the KSK have been accused of giving Hitler the salutes and some of planning to murder left-wing politicians.
The unit has around 1,000 members, at least 20 of whom have been investigated over extremist activities.
Mr Kreitmayr’s letter was prompted by the arrest, two weeks ago, of a 45-year-old KSK sergeant major who had hidden an AK-47 assault rifle, explosives and smoke grenades.
Several thousand rounds of pistol and rifle ammunition, along with Nazi memorabilia was also found in the underground stash place at his home in Saxony. The soldier had been under investigation since 2017.
Germany’s defence minister Annegret Krampkarrenbauer said she had now assembled a team to carry out a “structural analysis” of the KSK and its far-right elements.
She added that there was no place for anyone in the armed forces who acted “in a radical way”.