Two suspected supporters of far-right 'Letzte Verteidigungswelle' arrested in Thuringia over attempted arson at asylum shelter

The arrests

Joel F. and Elias F. were detained in the Altenburger Land district and Gera on Wednesday and Thursday, federal prosecutors in Karlsruhe announced on Friday. An investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice ordered the arrest warrants to be executed. The two are accused of being juvenile accessories to a domestic terrorist organization, attempted murder, attempted arson with fatal consequences and attempted aggravated arson.

The attack

The charges stem from an incident in early January 2025, when the two, together with accomplices, tried to set fire to an occupied asylum-seeker accommodation in Schmölln, Thuringia.

“The group broke a window and attempted to shoot ignited pyrotechnics from a firework battery into the interior of the building.”

No fire broke out. Two other alleged participants in that attack are already on trial in Hamburg.

The group 'Letzte Verteidigungswelle'

The group was founded in April 2024 and recruits young neo-Nazis via Instagram, TikTok and Telegram. It casts itself as the last resort for defending the "German nation" and aims to bring about the collapse of the democratic system through violence against migrants and political opponents. Prosecutors say members plotted to ignite a race war by a spiral of action and reaction. In May 2025, five supporters aged between 14 and 21 were arrested, while three others were already in custody. All eight are now standing trial at the Hamburg Higher Regional Court. In mid‑March 2026, the Federal Prosecutor's Office carried out another nationwide raid against the network.

Broader investigation

The arrests mark the latest step in a long‑running probe. The two new suspects join a series of defendants already facing charges for membership or support of the group. The authorities continue to investigate further possible accomplices and acts of preparation.