German Police Arrest Man in Darknet Assassination Plot Targeting Politicians

Arrest Made in Dortmund

German police have arrested a 49-year-old man, identified as Martin S., in Dortmund on Monday evening, November 10, 2025, in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate prominent politicians. Prosecutors announced the arrest on Tuesday, November 11, stating that the suspect, a German-Polish national, is accused of operating a darknet platform where he solicited donations to fund the killings of public figures.

'Assassination Politics' Platform and Targets

According to prosecutors, Martin S. allegedly ran an anonymous darknet platform named 'Assassination Politics' since at least June 2025. On this platform, he reportedly maintained a list of more than 20 targets, which included high-profile individuals such as former Chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, as well as judges and former government ministers. The platform allegedly featured 'death sentences' pronounced by the suspect, instructions for building explosive devices, and sensitive personal data of potential victims. He is also accused of soliciting donations in cryptocurrency, intended to be offered as 'bounties' for the assassinations.

Charges and Alleged Affiliations

Federal authorities have charged Martin S. with several serious offenses, including:

• Financing terrorism
• Directing serious acts of violence against the state
• Dangerous dissemination of personal data

The suspect has been on the authorities' radar since 2020 due to his involvement in anti-coronavirus protests. He is also suspected of having ties to the far-right Reichsbürger movement, which rejects the legitimacy of the modern German state. The darknet platform reportedly contained right-wing extremist, racist, and conspiracy theory content, some of which was linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigation and Law Enforcement Action

The investigation leading to the arrest was supported by information provided by Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The arrest operation itself was carried out by GSG 9, Germany's elite counter-terrorism unit. Martin S. was brought before an investigating judge on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, who will decide on an arrest warrant.