An anti-fascist activist who is the subject of a European arrest warrant was arrested on Monday in Berlin. Thomas J. was wanted in connection with the case against the Leipzig antifas. It was following this case that Lina E. was sentenced to five years and three months in prison by the Dresden Higher Regional Court in May 2023 for “membership of a criminal organisation, multiple serious assaults, property damage, forgery of documents, theft and coercion”. Investigators from the Criminal Police of the State of Saxony (LKA) arrested Thomas J. on Monday afternoon while he was riding his bike. The federal prosecutor general opens an investigation into the 48-year-old activist, suspected of “supporting a criminal organisation” and “serious assault”.
Thomas J. is to be taken to Karlsruhe on Tuesday and brought before an investigating judge who will decide on pre-trial detention. It seems that Thomas J. is accused of at least one attack on neo-Nazis. He had been on the run for more than a year. At the beginning of May 2023, he reportedly stumbled upon a police traffic stop in Brandenburg. While the police were checking his personal details, Thomas J. allegedly fled at full speed in his car. Since then, he has been considered a fugitive. Thomas J. is also accused by the German police of having fought in Rojava in the ranks of the YPG.
Source: Secours Rouge