• Five minors arrested for forming the far-right group "Last Wave of Defence".
• Group aimed to undermine democracy through violence against asylum seekers and political opponents.
• Recent rise in politically motivated crimes in Germany, with a 40% increase last year.
• Justice Minister expresses concern over the young age of the suspects involved.
• Four of the arrested are charged with attempted murder and aggravated arson.

German authorities arrested five minors on Wednesday, accused of forming a far-right group known as the "Last Wave of Defence," which reportedly targeted asylum seekers and migrants aiming to dismantle democratic structures in Germany. The arrests followed arson attacks on a community center and a refugee shelter, with the suspects allegedly seeing themselves as defenders of the "German nation", according to statements from federal prosecutors Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

The suspects in this case, whose ages range from 14 to 18, are facing serious charges, including attempted murder and aggravated arson. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig described it as "particularly shocking" that all the arrested were minors at the group's foundation, illustrating a concerning trend of radicalization among youth Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

This operation involved simultaneous raids on 13 properties nationwide, highlighting an extensive police effort. The arrests come amid wider concerns regarding the increase of far-right movements in Germany, which saw politically motivated crimes surge by 40% last year, predominantly attributed to far-right ideologies. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized this rise as a significant threat to national stability Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The group is also under scrutiny for its plans to attack additional shelters, but many of these plans were thwarted by early arrests of members. Prosecutors indicated that the group's ideology is deeply entrenched in a defensive stance of protecting what they regard as their nation's integrity which fuels violent actions against vulnerable segments of society, presenting a troubling scenario for social cohesion Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.