Coronavirus conspiracy theorists placed under observation as ‘extremist threat’ in Germany

The Querdenken 711 protest group has been placed under observation

Credit: YANN SCHREIBER/AFP

Coronavirus conspiracy theorists were officially designated a potential extremist threat in Germany on Wednesday.

One of the most prominent groups of coronavirus sceptics was placed under observation by regional intelligence in the southern state of Baden-Württemberg.

Querdenken 711, or Lateral Thinking 711, is one of a number of groups to have emerged from protests against Germany’s coronavirus lockdown. Its adherents have adopted pendants made of aluminium foil as their symbol in a reference to the “tinfoil hat brigade”, and until now they have largely been viewed as harmless cranks.

But the Baden-Württemberg authorities alleged the group has been radicalising for months and has been “infiltrated by extremists".

"Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are fundamental rights, they are vital for the functioning of our democracy,” Thomas Strobl, the regional interior minister told a press conference. “But a line has been crossed when extremists abuse these constitutional freedoms.”

Conspiracy theories could be “breeding grounds for acts of violence,” Beate Bube, the head of the regional intelligence agency, claimed.

Querdenken 711 was founded by Michael Ballweg, a Stuttgart IT entrepreneur. He denies allegations the group has links to far-Right groups.

Riot police uses a water cannon to break up a Berlin demonstration against German coronavirus restrictions in November

Credit: FILIP SINGER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

There has been concern in Germany at the extent to which extremists have been able to exploit coronavirus protests.

A far-Right group broke through police lines at a Berlin protest and almost succeeded in storming the German parliament in August.

Mr Ballweg insists that had nothing to do with Querdenken 711. “We are a peaceful movement and not a political party,” he said last week.

The decision to classify the group as a potential threat seems likely to further fuel the conspiracy theories.

The news came as Angela Merkel once again urged regional leaders to agree to a tighter lockdown.

“If we have too many contacts in the run-up to Christmas and it turns out to be the last party with our grandparents, then we will have lost something,” Mrs Merkel told German MPs in an uncharacteristically emotional address to parliament.

She implored people to avoid unnecessary contact as Germany recorded its highest 24-hour death toll yet, saying: “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry in my heart. But if the price we have to pay is 590 deaths per day, then that is not acceptable."

She has urged regional leaders to reconsider a decision to ease restrictions over Christmas so families can celebrate together. Under Germany’s federal system, it is the 16 states which have the final say over lockdown, and Mrs Merkel can only advise.

But she has come under fire from parents over calls to extend the Christmas school holidays to reduce the risk of children becoming infected and passing the virus to elderly relatives.

She was ridiculed when she responded to complaints over government advice that schools keep windows open despite the cold by suggesting children “do a little squat or clap their hands” to keep warm.