On Monday, November 10, 2025, police in Dortmund, Germany, arrested a German-Polish man, partially identified as Martin S., for allegedly plotting to kill high-profile politicians, including Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz. According to prosecutors, Martin S. had been posting threats and incitements to violence on the darknet since June 2025, targeting public officials and government figures.
Authorities say the suspect acted alone and is believed to be affiliated with a right-wing conspiracy theorist movement, possibly linked to the Reichsbürger ideology, which denies the legitimacy of the modern German state. He reportedly issued “death sentences” and shared personal data of targeted individuals, along with instructions for building explosive devices. He also solicited cryptocurrency donations to fund bounties for the planned killings The Punch MSN Yahoo.
The arrest was made following a joint investigation by German federal prosecutors, cybercrime units, and intelligence services, who tracked Martin S.’s online activities and identified him as a credible threat. He is currently in custody and facing charges related to incitement to murder, terrorist threats, and violations of data protection laws.
This case has reignited concerns about the use of anonymous online platforms to spread extremist ideologies and coordinate violent plots. German officials have vowed to strengthen surveillance and counter-radicalization efforts, especially in digital spaces.
