BERLIN Two days after a racist gunman killed nine people, ministers on Friday assured the German public that they would ramp up security and put more police on the streets to quell public fears. Thousands joined vigils on Thursday night to show solidarity with the victims of the right-wing extremist attack at a shisha bar and cafe in the city of Hanau, which sparked debates over gun laws and protection of migrants and minorities. Announcing an “increased police presence” at mosques, train stations, airports and borders, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said right-wing extremism was the “biggest security threat facing Germany”. He said it had left “a trail of blood” in recent months — two died in an attack on a synagogue in the city of Halle in October and a pro-migrant politician was murdered at his home in June. Separately, 12 men were arrested across Germany a week ago on suspicion of planning attacks on mosques aimed at bringing about “a civil-war-like situation” in Germany. Seehofer insisted that “in this government… no-one is blind” to the threat from the extreme right. He and justice minister Christine Lambrecht highlighted that Germany has updated its law on firearms licensing in recent weeks and a new bill targeting online hate speech is being considered. In December, Seehofer also announced hundreds of new posts for federal police and security services to strengthen surveillance of the far-right scene. But he warned that “despite all our efforts, we cannot completely rule out such terrible crimes”. Federal police chief Holger Muench said “around half” of those who carry out attacks with extreme-right motivations were previously unknown to his officers.–AFP
