German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described on Wednesday (December 30) the scandals that occurred in the paratroopers unit of the German Armed Forces as “shocking,” stressing that they represent a blatant violation of the values of the German army.
The reported cases include cases of right-wing extremism, inappropriate sexual behavior, and drug abuse, as the minister explained in statements to the German News Agency (DPA).
The Ministry of Defense announced that investigations into the 26th Parachute Regiment in the Zweibrücken area of Rhineland-Palatinate state resulted in the dismissal of a number of soldiers, while the Public Prosecution continues to investigate 19 soldiers.
Pistorius expressed his dissatisfaction with the local leadership’s initial handling of these reports, despite the subsequent initiation of investigations and the imposition of preliminary penalties, stressing that ignoring violations or not dealing with them with the required firmness is unacceptable.
The Minister, who belongs to the Social Democratic Party, explained that the Inspector General of the Land Forces, General Lieutenant Christian Freuding, launched urgent measures to prevent the recurrence of these behaviors, explaining that these measures will be combined in an “action plan for the airborne forces” to ensure their implementation.
Pistorius set three main goals: fully revealing all facts, punishing any additional violations with the utmost severity, and restoring confidence in the local military leadership.
These behaviors have no place in the army
The minister stressed that there is no place for extremism, inappropriate sexual behavior, and drug abuse in the German army, stressing the need to provide a safe environment to report violations without fear or false solidarity with violators.
The national daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported earlier that investigations had been ongoing for months at the 26th Parachute Regiment in Zweibrücken, focusing on right-wing extremism, sexual misconduct, violent rituals and drugs. Dozens of individuals in the regiment have been accused of sexual assault and harassment of women, with at least 30 charged with political extremism and anti-Semitism in connection with more than 200 incidents.
The newspaper reported the Hitler salute. It also reported that women were subjected to exhibitionism and forced to listen to pornographic jokes and rape fantasies.
The German minister said it must be clear that extremism, sexual misconduct and drug abuse have no place in the armed forces. He added: “It is equally important that there is no fear of reporting incidents – or even a misguided sense of solidarity with those who cross all lines.” The Minister stressed the need to ensure a safe space at all times, as those affected feel safe when reporting incidents of this kind.
Edited by: A.J.M
