BERLIN: German police on Wednesday carried out raids across seven states targeting climate activists of the “Letzte Generation” (Last Generation) group, which has allegedly caused controversy with street blockades in which protesters glue themselves to the asphalt.
According to a joint statement from Bavaria’s police and prosecutors, the raids were ordered as part of an investigation targeting seven people, ages 22 to 38, with allegations of “forming or supporting a criminal organization.” Two accounts were seized, fifteen houses were searched, and an asset freeze was ordered.
The accused are charged with using the group’s website to “organize a donations campaign to finance further criminal acts.” The authorities said that at least 1.4 million euros ($1.5 million) had been raised in the campaign. According to current information, these funds were mainly used to commit further criminal activity of the association.
The authorities did not specify the criminal activity they were referring to but claimed two suspects allegedly attempted to disrupt an oil pipeline between Ingolstadt, Germany, and Trieste, Italy, deemed a “critical infrastructure” in Bavaria.
Many climate activists from the group have been before the courts for their traffic blockade actions in recent weeks. The controversial tactics of the Letzte Generation, like throwing mashed potatoes on paintings in museums and hunger strikes, have resulted in the group being described as “climate terrorists” by some German politicians.
The activists argue that their protests are essential in the face of insufficient action taken by society and the government to prevent catastrophic global warming and protect the environment.
