BERLIN – Police raided the home of journalist and “Welt” columnist Nikolaus Blome on Wednesday, investigating suspected incitement to hatred related to the use of slogans associated with the Nazi-era Sturmabteilung (SA). The search warrant, issued by Berlin prosecutors, centers on Blome’s online posts featuring phrases historically linked to the SA, Germany‘s original Nazi paramilitary wing.
The investigation stems from complaints filed against Blome over his use of the terms “Knüppelavwehr” and ”Stahlhelm,” both historically associated with right-wing extremist groups and the SA.While blome contends he employed the phrases ironically to critique contemporary political discourse, authorities are examining whether his usage crossed the line into prohibited incitement. The case highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding historical Nazi terminology in Germany and the legal boundaries of free speech.
The raid,confirmed by the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office,involved the seizure of electronic devices and documents from Blome’s residence. Prosecutors stated the investigation is ongoing and will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to bring charges. Blome, a vocal critic of germany’s current goverment policies, has described the search as a politically motivated attempt to silence dissenting voices.
The incident has sparked debate among media professionals and legal experts regarding the interpretation of historical terms in modern political commentary. Norbert Bolz,a media studies professor at TU Berlin,noted the complexities of applying contemporary legal standards to historical language,while also pointing to Blome’s established political leanings. Bolz, who has over 90,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), has previously been described as a supporter of the “right wing of the SPD.”
The Federal Criminal Police Office’s initial silence regarding the search was deemed unlawful by legal observers. This case arrives amid heightened scrutiny of right-wing extremism and hate speech in Germany,and follows recent legal action against Green Party politician Robert Habeck over a separate incident involving the use of inflammatory language.
