Adolf Hitler is already in the name of the neo-Nazi group "Combat 18". The number 18 is a popular code of right-wing extremists, because it should symbolize the initials of the dictators A and H. Now, a ban on right-wing extremist grouping may be approaching.
According to a report by the Berliner "Tageszeitung", the interior ministers of Lower Saxony, Thuringia and Hesse demand from Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer to ban "Combat 18". "If we can ban 'Combat 18' constitutionally, we should do it as soon as possible," said Lower Saxony Interior Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) of the "taz". The Federal Ministry of the Interior must ban "fast and thoroughly".
Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD) also told the newspaper, "should the federal government initiate a ban, I expressly welcome and support this." As the "taz" reported, the Hesse Interior Minister Peter Beuth (CDU) also wrote a letter to Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) requesting a ban. Hesse "is committed to it", it says.
A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior responds to a request from the newspaper that the ministry generally does not comment on prohibition considerations. "Combat 18" is a "neo-Nazi, racist, xenophobic, anti-democratic and violent group".
The grouping "Combat 18" is considered the armed arm of the already outlawed in Germany since 2000 right-wing extremist network Blood & Honor. Currently, it is being examined in what respect the right-wing extremist Stephan Ernst, the alleged murderer of the Kassel district president Walter Lübcke, stood for "Combat 18". Federal Interior Minister Seehofer had already announced that he had a ban on the grouping examined.