Germany: Conviction over death lists on the darknet
A court in Düsseldorf sentenced a 50-year-old to three years in prison for operating a darknet website containing lists of political targets and instructions for manufacturing explosives.
Germany: Conviction over death lists on the darknet
A court in Düsseldorf sentenced a 50-year-old man identified as Martin S. to three years in prison. The man is said to have operated an internet platform on the darknet that contained lists of political targets and other sensitive data.
According to a report by Naftemporiki, the platform, named "Assassination Politics", contained lists of targets, self-proclaimed death sentences, instructions for manufacturing explosive devices, and personal data of various individuals. Investigating authorities also stated that the website requested donations in cryptocurrencies that could be used as rewards for murders.
Targets on the lists included former Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as well as former ministers, judges and prosecutors.
The case came to light after the suspect was arrested in late 2025. The Federal Prosecutor's Office brought charges of financing terrorism, incitement to serious violent crimes against the state, and dangerous publication of personal data. The authorities linked the platform to far-right extremist and conspiracy theory content.
The verdict comes at a time of heightened concern in Germany over threats, harassment and extremist violence against politicians and officials.
Source: Naftemporiki