The narrative of dangerous “right-wing terrorism,” heavily promoted by main media outlets and political guardians in the case of the so-called “Saxon Separatists,” is gradually collapsing. As revealed in late October 2026, the Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Dresden lifted the arrest warrants for four of the eight defendants—including former local AfD politician Kurt Hättasch—or suspended them against bail conditions.
After almost two years in harsh pre-trial detention, Hättasch temporarily returns to his normal life. This judicial turnaround delivers a damning assessment of the investigating Federal Prosecutor General and security agencies.
Two Years in Pre-Trial Detention for Unsubstantiated Allegations?
The arrest of Kurt Hättasch in November 2024 resembled a mediatized demonstration of state power. Allegations of forming a terrorist organization and supposed coup plans dominated the headlines. Hättasch—then floor leader in the Grimma city council and a rising local politician—faced severe criminal charges.
However, months of taking evidence before the Dresden Higher Regional Court brought sobering results for the prosecution:
- Crumbling Evidentiary Basis: Chat messages evaluated by investigators and testimony from Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) officers failed to withstand judicial scrutiny. The assertion that this was a highly structured terrorist cell aiming to violently seize control of territory proved increasingly baseless.
- Lack of Urgent Suspicion: During the review of the arrest warrant, the State Security Senate determined that urgent suspicion no longer existed regarding core aspects of the indictment.
- Release on Bail: The court suspended the pre-trial detention subject to security deposits and compliance conditions—a clear indicator that the Higher Regional Court no longer views the anticipated sentence as justifying continued detention.
Violations of Proportionality and Duration of Proceedings
Holding citizens in Germany for over 24 months without a legally binding conviction under strict isolation and detention conditions presents a severe strain on the rule of law. The principle of proportionality dictates that pre-trial detention must never be abused as advance punishment.
In the case of Hättasch and his co-defendants, the impression persists that authorities attempted to extract confessions or establish a political deterrent through harsh detention conditions. The defense successfully relied on confrontation and transparency against questionable BKA evaluation methods.
Conclusion: A Debacle for State Security Prosecutors
While the proceedings against the “Saxon Separatists” formally continue, the lifting of the arrest warrants marks a decisive turning point. When terrorism charges collapse in court, it exposes the inherent danger of politically motivated investigative proceedings.
Kurt Hättasch has announced his intention to resume his seat on the city council. The case underscores a vital truth: where political bias and media pressure dictate law enforcement, independent courts must step in to protect basic civil rights against overreaching state prosecution agencies.