German police share neo-nazi propaganda

Authorities in western Germany have suspended 29 police officers suspected of sharing far-right propaganda in Whatsapp groups, at least two of which were active for several years, a top security official has said.

Investigators searched 34 locations, including police stations and private apartments in the Ruhr industrial region, said Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-westphalia state.

The material shared included “the most foul and repugnant neo-nazi, racist and anti-refugee agitation”, said Mr Reul, who added the case left him “speechless”.

The off ending images included pictures of Adolf Hitler and swastikas, a fiction al depiction of a refugee in the gas chamber of a concentration camp and another mocking the shooting of black-skinned people, Mr Reul added.

The material was exchanged in at least five WhatsApp groups used entirely or largely by police officer. One group was apparently set up in 2012.