NEO-NAZISM IN GERMANY

Recent revelations that a neo-Nazi cell had both remained undetected for almost a decade, and murdered nine immigrants and a police officer during that time, have shocked Germany. The three-person cell was only detected when one of its members handed herself in to police after being wanted in connection with an armed robbery. Although she blew up her apartment before doing so, and the other two members allegedly committed suicide, the authorities were able to recover evidence about the murders from the wreckage.

In Germany's federal system, justice and security matters are dealt with primarily at Land, rather than Federal, level. All of the Länder have made efforts to keep extremist groups under surveillance; but what is worrying Germans is that the sixteen separate organisations apparently do not talk to each other or share intelligence. Given Germany's history, this seems to be more than a little negligent.

Establishing a centralised registry seems to be an obvious - if belated - response. However, the damage to Germany's reputation as a country, whose citizens live within the law, has been dented. Not least amongst its own population.

Walter Blotscher