Germany Bans Far-Right Magazine Over Hate Speech

Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has banned the far-right magazine Compact and its publishers over accusations of propagating hate against Jews, immigrants, and parliamentary democracy. Police carried out raids in four regions linked to the magazine. The decision has sparked controversy, with far-right leaders criticizing the ban.

Germany's top security official on Tuesday banned a far-right magazine, accusing it of inciting hatred against Jews, immigrants, and parliamentary democracy.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser barred Compact magazine, its publisher Compact-Magazin GmbH, and the film company Conspect Film. Police raided properties in four German regions associated with the organizations, her ministry reported.

Faeser called Compact a "central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene". She stated that the magazine's content was "unspeakably" anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, and anti-democracy.

Compact, managed by far-right figure Jurgen Elsasser, produces a monthly magazine with a circulation of about 40,000 and an online channel, Compact TV. Elsasser has openly declared intentions to topple the German government.

The far-right's influence has alarmed Germany, with the Alternative for Germany party finishing second in the recent European Parliament elections. Party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla condemned the ban as an attack on press freedom and accused Faeser of abusing her power to stifle critical reporting.

(With inputs from agencies.)