German police raid neo-Nazi youth networks across 12 states
German police have raided around 50 homes and other locations in a nationwide operation targeting suspected members of far-right youth groups.
Prosecutors said the raids were aimed at people believed to be linked to Jung & Stark, known as JS, and Deutsche Jugend Voran, or DJV.
The searches took place on Wednesday in 12 states, mainly in the east and south of Germany, including Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony.
Federal prosecutors said the suspects were believed to have organised violence through social media and built nationwide networks.
No arrests were made.
Prosecutors said some of those accused were suspected of attacking members of the left-wing scene or people they believed to be paedophiles, with victims beaten by several attackers and left with significant injuries.
The operation comes amid concern in Germany about young people being drawn into far-right activity and violence targeting political opponents and LGBT communities.
Authorities say both groups operate openly online, including on Telegram, Instagram and other social media platforms.
Last year, one of the leaders of DJV was sentenced to more than three years in prison after a series of violent attacks against political opponents in Berlin.
