After becoming aware of a neo-Nazi scandal in the Bundeswehr's elite unit Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) has announced a consistent and tough approach. "We have had some initial consequences in this case and we will continue to pursue each case with equal rigor and consistency," Kramp-Karrenbauer said during a visit to Kosovo.
"Anyone who stands out in any way radically in the Bundeswehr, has no place in this Bundeswehr," said the Minister. This applies in particular to the KSK. This is "a piece of figurehead - it feels itself as such and therefore it has a special responsibility to counter any tendency to radicalism," said the CDU politician.
"We take every case very, very seriously, and in particular, we also investigate if there are networks and connections behind it," the Minister continued. This is the reason why the Military Shielding Service (MAD) has set up a focal point and a working group "with a view to the KSK".
The "Bild am Sonntag" had previously reported that the MAD suspects a KSK sergeant in the Feldwebellaufbahn to be a right-wing extremist. The Federal Ministry of Defense accordingly confirmed investigations against the soldier. The suspect is supposed to be removed in the coming days from the service.
The Ministry will also "criminal charges against unknown because of secret betrayal". Two staff officers are also under suspicion, according to the report. They are said to have shown the Hitler salute after "BamS" information at a private celebration of the corporal.