280 Cases of Ultra-Right Extremists Investigated in the German Army

Berlin, May 3 (Prensa Latina) Military intelligence services are currently investigating 280 cases of possible right-wing extremists in the ranks of the German army, the Defense Ministry informed today.

This political inclination was the main reason for the expulsion of 18 soldiers between 2012 and 2016, said the aforementioned ministry in reference to the phenomenon extended to the armed forces of the central European country.

These alarming figures come to light in the wake of the arrest of a lieutenant (identified as Franco A.) for identifying himself as a Syrian asylum seeker to - allegedly - commit a xenophobic attack, the source adds.

Due to the alarming incident, Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen yesterday her visit to the United States to visit the unit where the soldier was, in a French town near the border with Germany.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Steffen Seibert told a news conference that Von der Leyen has 'full support' from Chancellor Angela Merkel to settle the matter.

Despite her quick response, the minister is currently criticized in the military sector for questioning the firmness of the military to deal with issues as delicate as that of Franco A. and its subsequent outcome, which could hinder the course of the investigation.