Suche
Neo-Nazi attack in Friedrichshain: Two journalists brutally attacked
Two journalists were attacked by neo-Nazis at Ostkreuz train station in Berlin. Investigations into breach of the peace are ongoing.
Neo-Nazi attack in Friedrichshain: Two journalists brutally attacked
On the night of August 11, 2025, a wild attack was carried out on two young journalists at Ostkreuz train station in Berlin-Friedrichshain. The victims, a 22-year-old and a 25-year-old man, apparently withdrew from the left-wing scene, like the police in theirs Press release announced. The attack occurred around 11:20 p.m. when the two got off a train after a stop in Bautzen. There they took photos of a right-wing extremist march against Christopher Street Day (CSD).
A group of twelve people, presumably belonging to the right-wing scene, harassed the journalists and physically harmed them. The attackers kicked both the woman and the man. After the incident, police arrested the 12 suspects, including eight men and four women aged 17 to 46. However, they were released after police measures because the people attacked initially did not want to seek medical treatment.
Investigations and backgrounds
The investigation into breach of the peace was taken over by the Police State Security. Loud taz There had already been calls for help in left-wing chat groups in advance, warning of 30 to 40 “violent, alcoholic” neo-Nazis on the train. The neo-Nazis had traveled from Bautzen and had previously taken part in a right-wing extremist march. An eyewitness reported that they tried to break down a door between two compartments on the train.
A video recording shows the police taking action against the attackers as they flee towards an exit. The suspects' details were recorded on site and one of the attackers was identified. The leader of the “Deutsche Jugend Voran”, Julian M., was among those arrested; he had previously been sentenced to more than three years in prison for violent acts.
Context of violence against journalists
The incident in Berlin must be seen in a worrying context. According to a study conducted in 2024, there has been an alarming increase in violence against media workers, with 98 verified physical attacks on journalists. What is particularly striking is that 76 percent of the attacks took place during demonstrations, many of them linked to pro-Palestinian gatherings. This represents a significant increase in physical attacks compared to previous years, the highest level since the long-term study began in 2015.
Rising violence by extreme right-wing groups poses a serious threat, which also reflects public acceptance of right-wing agitation. The Federal Ministry of the Interior also recorded a new high in extreme right-wing crimes in Germany in 2024. To support journalists' sense of security, the ECPMF has highlighted the need to implement security measures to reduce risks to media professionals.