The German Press Agency (DPA), citing the Halle Public Prosecutor's Office, reported that searches were conducted at addresses in 5 states on suspicion that the "Artgemeinschaft" association was continuing its activities.

The searches were reportedly carried out as part of an investigation into 15 suspects accused of supporting the association.

Spiegel magazine reported that the searches took place in the states of Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg, and Lower Saxony.

It was alleged that the searches also included Simon Lansmann and Sebastian Koch, who were candidates for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party from Gardelegen in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament elections.

An event hosted by Lansmann had been organized in June. Police controlled entries at this event and identified individuals connected to the "Artgemeinschaft" association.

It was stated that a ceremony reminiscent of the "Artgemeinschaft" association's rituals took place at the event. A song belonging to the Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend) from the Nazi Germany era was allegedly sung there.

The German Interior Ministry had banned the activities of the "Artgemeinschaft" association in September 2023. The association was stated to be against the constitutional order of the country, and to be a Neo-Nazi, racist, xenophobic, and anti-democratic organization.