German Defence Minister Pistorius 'deeply disturbed' by alleged misconduct in elite army unit

An elite German paratrooper regiment is reportedly under investigation over allegations of sexual assault, antisemitism, right-wing extremist activity, violent rituals and drug use, in what German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described as "deeply disturbing" incidents.

Dozens of soldiers were being probed for a wide range of alleged misconduct, according to German press reports.

The controversy first came to light when two female soldiers filed a complaint with the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces in June.

The Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), the military justice system and the public prosecutor are now investigating the matter, with a focus on the 26th Parachute Regiment in the southwestern town of Zweibruecken.

Several soldiers have already been dismissed following the probe, and the regiment's commander has been replaced, German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported on Monday.

Internal documents obtained by the FAZ suggest that problematic behaviour was either tolerated or handled internally for years. That included the use of right-wing slogans, anti-Semitic insults, excessive drinking, and drug use, the newspaper reported.

Female soldiers reported sexual assaults, derogatory remarks, and a culture in which complaints were interpreted as disloyalty. In some combat units, women were reportedly seen less as fellow soldiers and more as disruptive presences.

Those who defended themselves risked ostracism or reassignment, while accused offenders often remained in the unit, according to the FAZ.

Certain rituals, described as "upholding tradition," also raised legal concerns. One involved forcibly attaching the parachutist badge, allowing each participant to strike the pin until it pierced the skin and drew blood. Soldiers reportedly endured the practice to belong, while those who refused faced harassment.

Germany's defence ministry has said that such practices are "entirely unacceptable" and constitute criminal offences under the German Military Criminal Code.

"To be perfectly clear, right-wing extremism and inappropriate sexual behaviour are the offences in question," defence ministry spokesperson Kenneth Harms said in a statement.

“Neither is acceptable in the Bundeswehr, and it is therefore imperative to investigate the incidents thoroughly. Anyone who has committed misconduct or even criminal offences, or who, as a superior, has looked the other way or tolerated such behaviour, will be dealt with appropriately," he added.

Pistorius calls allegations 'deeply disturbing'

Pistorius said the allegations run counter to the core values of the armed forces, according to the German news agency dpa.

He said it was unacceptable that the misconduct "was apparently not recognised immediately and therefore not dealt with decisively. That must not happen."

Pistorius praised Army Inspector Lieutenant General Dr Christian Freuding for acting quickly to prevent further wrongdoing. The measures will be consolidated in an "Airborne Forces action plan" and implemented without delay.

He said the focus must now be on fully clarifying all incidents, punishing confirmed cases, and restoring trust in the unit’s leadership.

The defence minister also stressed that there is no place in the German armed forces for extremism, sexual misconduct or drug use, and called for a culture in which wrongdoing can be reported without fear, intimidation or misplaced loyalty.

Problems in elite units

This is not the first scandal to hit a German military unit.

Similar issues have emerged in the Special Forces Command (KSK) in the southern town of Calw. Its structure is comparable to that of the paratroopers: small, compartmentalised units, intense physical and psychological demands, a strong sense of elitism — and a culture where loyalty to the group often trumps formal rules.

The MAD found that warning signs at the KSK had been ignored for years. According to the Bundestag, between 2017 and 2021 the service investigated around 50 cases of suspected right-wing extremism within the unit. The probe resulted in several dismissals, transfers of personnel, and the eventual disbandment of one company.

One high-profile case in 2020 involved Philipp S., a sergeant major in the KSK's second company, who stockpiled weapons, explosives, and right-wing literature at home. Investigators seized an AK-47, roughly two kilograms of explosives, and other materials.

Courts found no evidence of political motivation; he was convicted solely of breaching weapons laws and received a suspended sentence.

The KSK's second company was disbanded under reform measures after investigations revealed extremist tendencies and a toxic leadership culture, according to the final report by then-Inspector General Eberhard Zorn.

Recent annual reports from the MAD show that right-wing extremism remains a pressing issue in the Bundeswehr. In 2024, a total of 1,159 suspected extremist cases were investigated, including 216 newly confirmed cases linked to right-wing extremism.

Why is the system slow to act?

Under Section 10 of the Soldiers Act, Bundeswehr commanders must immediately report extremist behaviour, criminal offences, or serious breaches of duty. Company and battalion commanders are expected to log suspicious activity, support investigations, and, for serious allegations, involve military disciplinary lawyers or civilian prosecutors.

Officers and non-commissioned officers are responsible for setting an example, supervising troops, and safeguarding welfare. Orders must always be lawful, and off-duty conduct must not undermine trust in the unit.

Yet reports from the Bundeswehr Centre for Military History and Social Sciences indicate that in some high-pressure elite units, warning signs have been ignored for years — often due to concerns over operational readiness or the unit’s reputation.

Soldiers who fail their duties can face dismissal, demotion, or discharge, but in practice, action is slow, requiring clear evidence of leadership failure before measures are enforced.