German police confiscate evidence against suspected Neo-Nazi ring

Police in the central German state of Hesse confirmed they have found evidence against a regional neo-Nazi ring suspected of distributing far-right literature and organizing demonstrations.

Officers from the Hesse Office of Criminal Investigation found the materials, including neo-Nazi literature, while searching five home of extremists suspected of belonging to a local neo-Nazi group known as the Free Nationalist Rhein-Main.

Frankfurt prosecutors are evaluating the materials in hopes of launching criminal proceedings against the group. Distributing or displaying Nazi symbols is prohibited under German law.

Investigators said the group first appeared at the end of 2001, and since then its members have distributed neo-Nazi literature and led ongoing extreme-right demonstrations, training sessions, meetings, discussions and concerts.

They said the group has also strengthened its ties with the National Democratic Party, known by its German initials NPD, which has been increasing in popularity in recent years, but failed to garner significant support in the Sept. 18 parliamentary election, the AP reports.