Indictment Filed Against Two Suspected Members and One Supporter of a Right-Wing Extremist Criminal and Terrorist Organisation

Year of issue 2024
Date 19.09.2024

On 6 September 2024, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against the German nationals

Kevin N.
Patrick W. and
Marvin W.

before the State Security Chamber of the Thuringian Higher Regional Court in Jena.

There are sufficient grounds to suspect Kevin N. and Marvin W. of membership in a criminal and terrorist organisation. Kevin N. also faces charges of forming the organisation and acting as its ringleader (section 129a para. 1, section 129a para. 1 no. 1, para. 4 of the German Criminal Code [StGB]). Marvin W. is furthermore accused of weapons violations section 52 para. 3 nos. 2a and 3 of the German Weapons Act [WaffG]). Patrick W. is charged with supporting a terrorist organisation (section 129 para. 1, section 129a para. 1 no. 1, para. 5 sentence 1 StGB).

In essence, the indictment sets out the following allegations:

Kevin N., in collaboration with Leon R., Maximilian A. and Eric K., who were prosecuted in separate proceedings (see Press Release No. 22 of 15 May 2023), formed the organisation “Knockout 51” in Eisenach no later than March 2019. It was a right-wing extremist martial arts group which attracted young men with nationalist views under the guise of joint physical exercises while intentionally indoctrinating them with a right-wing extremist ideology and training them to be ready for physical altercations with police officers, members of the political left and other individuals deemed worthy of combating. Since the beginning, “Knockout 51” was at least intent on committing physical assaults. The organisation’s scope was extended to the killing of members of the far-left at the end of April 2021 the latest.

Kevin N. indoctrinated members and aspiring members of the group according to far-right ideals. He headed “Kiezstreifen” (in English: neighbourhood watches) and secured events in “Flieder Volkshaus” in Eisenach. He was also involved in propaganda activities of “Knockout 51”. In 2020 and 2021, Kevin N. and other members of the organisation travelled to various anti-COVID protests to actively engage in violent altercations with the police or opponents from the political left. In September 2021, “Knockout 51” anticipated an imminent attack against Leon R. by left-wing extremists. The group wanted to use such an attack to launch a lethal counterattack. Kevin N. was supposed to secure the encounter, intervene if necessary and call for backup from the far-right in Erfurt via his contacts. Despite provocations from members of “Knockout 51” a clash never materialised.

Patrick W. is a senior member of the political party “Die Heimat” (formerly NPD) in Eisenach. He provided “Knockout 51” a room in “Flieder Volkshaus” to store weapons as well as a computer. He also arranged for the reconstruction of certain parts of the building for the benefit of the Organisation and took part in "Knockout 51" meetings and training sessions.

Marvin W. joined “Knockout 51” as a member in March 2019. He participated in martial arts and firearms trainings. He also patrolled neighbourhoods (“Kiezstreifen”) in Eisenach and secured the “Flieder Volkshaus”. In addition, e assisted Leon R. in the assembly of a firearm. He, in concert with Kevin N., went to Erfurt in September 2021 to carry out a fatal counterattack against left-wing extremists. His mission was to drive into the opponents with the vehicle.

The accused were arrested on 14 December 2023 (see Press Releases No. 56 of 14 December 2023 and No. 58 of 15 December 2023). On 18 April 2024, Patrick W. was released from pre-trial detention after the arrest warrant had been revoked. Kevin N. and Marvin W. are still in pre-trial detention.