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Europe

Germany vows to probe far-right activity in armed forces

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    From left, German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen talk together prior to the weekly cabinet meeting of the German government at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (The Associated Press)

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    German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting of the German government at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (The Associated Press)

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    German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting of the German government at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (The Associated Press)

BERLIN – The German government says it is investigating the extent of far-right activity in its armed forces after an officer was arrested last week on suspicion of planning an attack.

Prosecutors believe 28-year-old army lieutenant Franco A. had long-standing far-right views and may have been part of a small extremist cell.

A defense ministry spokesman confirmed reports that the suspect, whose full name wasn't released due to German privacy rules, had written a university thesis in 2014 which included "extremist views," but only received a warning.

The spokesman, Boris Nannt, told reporters Wednesday that the decision had been a "mistake."

Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday visited the barracks in Illkirch, France, where A. had been stationed as part of a Franco-German brigade.