Anonymous Threat Letters Bearing AfD Logo Prompt State Protection in Schleswig-Holstein
Kiel, Germany – State security authorities in Schleswig-Holstein are investigating anonymous threat letters using the logo of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Interior Minister Condemns Threats
"I unequivocally condemn such drastic threats," said Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack (CDU) on Wednesday afternoon. "We are treating these threat letters with high priority and sensitivity."
Police Advise Reporting Incidents
A spokesperson for the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) advised those receiving similar threat letters to report them immediately and handle them carefully to preserve evidence. The police offer support and advice on security measures to affected individuals.
Probst Publicizes Threat
On Tuesday, a provost (senior clergyman) publicly shared a threatening letter targeting him on social media. The letter, bearing the image of a gun and the AfD logo, reads: "Sturmfront Schleswig-Holstein – Patriotic Underground of the AfD and Peasantry." The logo of the historical Schleswig-Holstein Landvolk Movement is also visible.
AfD Denies Involvement
Julian Flak, deputy state chairman of the AfD in Schleswig-Holstein, stated that the federal party had contacted the affected provost upon hearing about the threat and clarified that the letter was "obviously used without our knowledge or consent, and we have nothing to do with the alleged sender." The party cannot rule out the possibility that the letter was intentionally sent by a third party to damage the AfD’s image during the election campaign, Flak added.
Unknown Group Identified
According to the Interior Ministry, a group called "Sturmfront Schleswig-Holstein" was previously unknown to the state intelligence agency for constitutional protection. The agency has initiated intelligence measures to investigate the matter.
Church Condemns Threats
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany (Nordkirche) announced that it would press charges over the threat letter sent to the provost. "A threatening letter is being used to spread hatred and incitement against a provost of our church and his husband," said State Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt. "The Nordkirche stands firmly by the provost and his husband. They have our full solidarity and support. As the Nordkirche, we will continue to show our deep solidarity with all those who courageously and peacefully stand against hatred and incitement."
Bishop Raises Concerns
Nora Steen, Bishop of the Diocese of Schleswig and Holstein, expressed concern over the threats targeting the provost and his husband. "The open threats show how pervasive hatred and tangible group-related misanthropy are in our society," she said. "No one should be threatened, hostilely treated, or marginalized because of their personal convictions."
