Members of the Identitarian Movement occupied a monument in Germany over the weekend because a wind farm is planned nearby. A Swiss man behaved particularly unruly, which is why he was taken away by the police.
June 22, 2026, 09:48June 22, 2026, 09:48
At the weekend, members of the right-wing extremist group “Identitarian Movement” occupied the Hermann Monument in the Teutoburg Forest near Detmold. They climbed onto the balcony of the monument without authorization, unfurled banners and set off pyros, as the police reported.
The Hermann Monument is Germany’s largest statue and is located in the Teutoburg Forest.Image: DPA
According to their own statements, the group was demonstrating against a planned wind farm near the monument. “That would desecrate this central German cultural site and trample on our history,” says one X post.
We occupy the Hermannsdenkmal.
The government wants to build a wind turbine park directly in front of Arminius in the Teutoburg Forest. That would desecrate this central German cultural site and trample on our history.
At the same time, local bird species and the natural zone in… pic.twitter.com/m1eiD4XHr9
— Identitarian Movement (@IBDeutschland) June 21, 2026
According to police, the occupation began around 11 a.m. Sunday morning. After the action, the members of the group fled. Only one young man remained. He continued climbing up the statue, securing himself with ropes. In a stream, the man wearing a T-shirt with the inscription “Remigration” can be seen filming the police action. According to the statement, he remained there for several hours and was uncooperative.
It wasn’t until around 5 p.m. that the 21-year-old finally climbed down from the monument. According to the police, it is Swiss. He was taken to the police station. He was later released again.
The Swiss is now under investigation. There are allegations such as trespassing, suspicion of sedition and the burning of illegal pyrotechnics. The investigation is being carried out by the State Security of the Bielefeld Police. This is because of “a political background to the action”.
There was no danger to outsiders. However, according to German media, the area of the popular excursion destination was closed to visitors. (front)