The number of suspects in the elite paratrooper unit has grown to 59. Disciplinary and criminal proceedings are already underway against many of them.
The number of accused in the scandal involving sexual misconduct, drugs and extremism among paratroopers has risen to 59. At the same time, an army spokeswoman said that the action plan put into effect because of the incidents was “highly accepted” within the airborne force. “A comprehensive evaluation is planned for the end of 2026,” she said when asked by the German Press Agency.
The incidents among the paratroopers became known through submissions to the then military commissioner Eva Högl (SPD). According to the current status of the investigation, it was assumed that there were 55 suspects in Paratrooper Regiment 26 in Zweibrücken, Rhineland-Palatinate.
The army spokeswoman said disciplinary measures were taken in 18 cases. The military disciplinary attorney at the Rapid Forces Division has begun preliminary disciplinary investigations in 24 cases. Five judicial disciplinary proceedings were initiated.