Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A court in Diepenbeek punished the leader of Sturmjäger Division with an 8-year prison term when he turned 24 years old. The court established he motivated members of the far-right youth community across the world to perform violent acts.
A 24-year-old man from Diepenbeek in Belgium received an 8-year prison sentence because he coordinated the neo-Nazi terrorist operation Sturmjäger Division online. The court established that he used his leadership to motivate worldwide far-right youth members in terrorist operations and worked to destroy democratic systems throughout the world. The man moderated Telegram public and platform-private groups that distributed neo-Nazi propaganda material alongside racist statements. The arrest of this man occurred in November 2023 when undercover agents entered the groups, and authorities found Nazi banners, swastika symbols and explosive material creation materials during house investigations.
Belgian State Security acquired the mobile phone number of the man through 2023 Dutch authorities investigating members of The Base, which established itself in 2018. The Diepenbeek resident took control of the Telegram group Sturmjäger Division, attracted 200 worldwide members, and operated several exclusive private chat groups. Group members received direct violent action instructions from the man in his private discussion groups.
The judge is talking about a terrorist group that spread neo-Nazi propaganda and hatred on a large and international scale. “Young, underage members were also encouraged to take action, and that worked.”
“Democratic values must be protected,” the judge concluded.
“It was about hateful messages, that is 100 percent correct and we have admitted that,” says Brecht Horsten, who assisted the 24-year-old man. “But there is a big line between hateful messages and turning to terrorism. According to the judge, that line has been crossed. We did not agree with that in the pleadings, we will now see whether we will appeal.”
How did Neo-Nazi Networks evolve into global threats?
Post-World War II far-right extremists maintained their superficial network since the movement’s inception, which led to the formation of contemporary neo-Nazi organisations, including The Base and Sturmjäger Division. The Base was established by American leader Rinaldo Nazzaro in 2018 to implement a violent white ethnostate project that resulted in the formation of parallel organisations around the world. Young members join neo-Nazi networks by using encrypted Telegram platforms for recruitment and radicalisation purposes to spread propaganda encouraging terrorism throughout the community.
Throughout history, such hate groups have selected Muslims, Jews, people of colour, and LGBTQ+ people as their targets in order to destabilise democratic institutions. Operating from online spaces, terrorist networks now find it simpler to conduct international activities, which creates major obstacles for global security forces.
