The number of politically motivated crimes against politicians increased significantly in Germany in the “coronavirus” 2020, reports zakon.kz with reference to RIA Novosti.

According to preliminary data provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany in response to the request of the deputy from the Left Party, Ulla Jelpke, last year there were 2,629 crimes against officials, which is 57% more than in 2019 (1,674). Last year’s figure is also more than double that of 2018, when the number of such crimes was 1,256.

Among the offenses against politicians, insults (1 247) are leading by a wide margin, followed by extortion and threats (403). This is followed by causing damage to property (228) and inciting ethnic hatred (212).

The German Interior Ministry noted that measures aimed at combating the coronavirus pandemic are leading to growing protest sentiments against the state and its representatives. The authorities saw a connection with the coronavirus in 14% of crimes against politicians that took place in 2020 (a total of 374 cases).