German police carried out raids on Wednesday, targeting climate activists and seizing assets in an investigation focused on the Letzte Generation (Last Generation) group. Prosecutors in Munich, Bavaria, stated that they were investigating seven individuals, aged 22 to 38, on suspicion of “forming or supporting a criminal organization.” The activists are accused of organizing and promoting a campaign to finance further criminal offenses, allegedly amassing at least 1.4 million euros ($1.5 million) in the process.
The raids aimed to secure evidence regarding the membership structure of Last Generation and its financial activities. Two of the targeted individuals are also suspected of attempting to sabotage an oil pipeline connecting Ingolstadt in Bavaria with the Italian port of Trieste. The police searches were accompanied by orders to seize two bank accounts and other assets. No arrests were made during the operations.
The controversial tactics employed by Last Generation, ranging from hunger strikes to vandalizing artworks in museums, have led some German politicians to label the group as “climate terrorists.” Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently criticized their actions, calling them “completely nutty.” Last Generation’s road sit-ins, often involving members being glued to the asphalt, have become more frequent in the past year, resulting in daily traffic disruptions in Berlin.
While the group believes that their provocative protests can stimulate societal debates about climate change, they have not garnered broad public support. In a recent poll conducted by national broadcaster ZDF, 82% of respondents felt that Last Generation’s street blockades went too far. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the Greens criticized the blockades, stating that they do not contribute constructively to climate protection and instead irritate people.
Last April, German MPs rejected a proposal to impose prison sentences of up to five years on climate activists who engage in road-blocking protests. Last Generation responded to the raids on Twitter, stating, “Nationwide raid. #completelynutty” and questioning when lobby structures would be investigated and the government’s fossil fuel funding seized.
