German authorities have arrested a dual Polish-German citizen suspected of operating a dark web site that promoted the assassination of high-profile politicians, according to prosecutors on Tuesday.
The suspect, identified only as Martin S. to comply with German privacy regulations, allegedly solicited cryptocurrency donations intended to fund successful hits on individuals he had issued “death sentences” against.
While the names of the targeted politicians were not disclosed by the authorities, the Spiegel news magazine reported that former chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, along with other former federal ministers, were mentioned on the site.
The individual was apprehended late Monday night in Dortmund and is facing serious charges for crimes against the state. Prosecutors have not provided details on the motive or indicated any connection to foreign entities.
Rising Attacks on Politicians and Cyber Threats
The dark web site, which cannot be accessed without specialized software, also featured explosive-making instructions and sensitive personal data about potential victims. It is believed to have been active since at least June 2025.
Prosecutors noted that the suspect would appear before an investigative judge today to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant.
German politicians have raised concerns over an increase in both verbal and physical attacks amid growing societal polarization. Additionally, Germany’s cyber-security agency, BSI, reported a significant rise in cyber threats against Germany and other Western nations.
The agency highlighted a 52% increase in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks around the time of February’s national election, stating that Russia is a primary source of these assaults.
Source: Reuters Edited by Bernie
