Investigators in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are seeing a growing number of online reports of hate and hate speech land on their desks. The state police’s online reporting desk, which has been in operation since February 1, 2023, recorded 783 reports in the past year, up from 589 the year before. This data comes from the state government’s response to a request by Eva Maria Schneider-Gärtner, an independent member of the state parliament. In the first year, from February through December, 344 incidents were reported.
Additionally, the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) forwarded 280 more cases to the authorities in MV in 2025 because potential suspects live in the Northeast, the report notes. The previous year, the number forwarded was 299.
The state government could not specify how many of the investigations resulting from these tips have concluded with charges or convictions. Determining the outcomes for each individual case would require manual review, the authorities said. “Even with optimistic scheduling, this would take about 33 working days,” a figure not compatible with the obligation to answer parliamentary inquiries promptly.
Investigations covered offenses such as public incitement to criminal acts, depiction of violence, defamation, or threats. Other alleged offenses mentioned included incitement to hatred, the dangerous dissemination of personal data, and the insult of religious associations and belief organizations.
