Saxony wants to set up a special commission on Islamism

The Saxon State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is to have a third special commission for politically motivated crime. Its focus will be on Islamism and other religious ideologies. LKA spokesperson Kay Anders confirmed that plans for the new Soko are underway. The "Freie Presse" had previously reported on this. So far, Saxony has special commissions on right-wing extremism (Soko Rex) and left-wing extremism (Soko Linx).

"We are looking into setting up a special commission on Islamism because we are seeing radicalization in this area and there have been a number of Islamist-motivated attacks, especially around the time of the federal elections," Denis Kuhne, head of the state security department at the State Criminal Police Office, told the newspaper.

Increased risk of Islamist terror

According to the report, the Ministry of the Interior points out that the risk of Islamist terror has increased since the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 and the subsequent invasion of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army.

"With the establishment of the new Islamism investigation unit, we will not only significantly increase the effectiveness of the Police Counter-Terrorism and Extremism Center once again," said Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU).

When and under what name the new Soko will be founded is still open. The number of officers to be deployed in the new investigative team is also still being decided.