Hate crime unit in Saxony-Anhalt sees cases more than double to 727

Case numbers more than double

The Central Office for Combating Hate Crime on the Internet at the Halle Public Prosecutor's Office opened 727 proceedings against known suspects in 2025, more than double the 312 recorded in 2024, according to a spokesperson for the Naumburg General Public Prosecutor's Office. The unit was established on 9 May 2023 as a signal that hate and incitement have no place in society. The indictment rate stands at nearly 20 percent, well above the state-wide average of roughly 14 percent. Of the proceedings initiated, 188 were transferred to other responsible prosecutor's offices outside Saxony-Anhalt.

A controversial acquittal

A case that illustrates the unit's work involves a Facebook post depicting an electrical substation with the caption "Climbing park for Greens and refugees" and the subtitle "Have fun and please don't push – everyone gets a turn." The Halle prosecutor's office considered the post incitement to hatred and sought a penalty order of 120 daily rates of €50 each, totalling €6,000. In March, the Merseburg District Court acquitted the defendant, describing the image as "absolutely tasteless" but not capable of disturbing public peace.

The image is absolutely tasteless, but not suitable to disturb public peace.

The prosecution has appealed the acquittal. The Naumburg Higher Regional Court will hear the case next week, a spokesperson said.

Staffing shortages and a hiring freeze

The central office is staffed by one senior prosecutor as department head, one female prosecutor, and three prosecutors, supported by a single IT forensic expert. A second forensic IT position was advertised internally in November 2025 but remained unfilled. The Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of Justice cited a hiring and replacement freeze for 2025 and 2026, making external advertising and recruitment currently impossible.

In view of the hiring and replacement freeze in Saxony-Anhalt for 2025 and 2026, external advertising and recruitment are currently not feasible.

The ministry said it is examining ways to reinforce personnel nonetheless.

Case outcomes and workload

By 15 January, around 350 additional incoming proceedings had been concluded. In just over 50 cases, penalty order applications with fines were issued; there were 17 indictments to the criminal judge; about 60 cases were joined to other, potentially more serious proceedings. Many cases were dismissed: roughly 170 for lack of sufficient suspicion, 12 due to minor guilt, and 13 against a monetary penalty. A large number of investigations remain ongoing. The majority of hate comments were posted via anonymous accounts, and most accused individuals were male.