Martin Sellner arrested in Kreuzlingen

The Thurgau cantonal police didn’t hesitate for long when right-wing extremist Martin Sellner crossed the border near Konstanz into Switzerland on Saturday morning. He ran directly across the border from an angry mob of demonstrators into the arms of the Thurgau cantonal police. She made Sellner aware of the entry ban in Switzerland that applied to him and took him with her. Members of Junge Tat immediately tried to spread the word that Sellner had been dragged across the border by the police. But that is simply wrong: Sellner himself crossed the country’s border into Switzerland.

Only when the Thurgau cantonal police approached the right-wing extremist did he ask, puzzled:

«Where is the border here?

Sellner argued stiffly to the police that he was still in Germany, which the police denied: “You are now in Switzerland!” A woman in the demonstration said with mischief: “The Nazi fence is still there!” During the Second World War, the border fence, which was colloquially known as the “Nazi fence,” stood where Sellner crossed the border.

The irony that Sellner, who is vehemently opposed to illegal immigration, has now become an illegal immigrant himself, greatly pleases the demonstrators. The members of the Junge Tat present on site also apparently did not know the exact border between Konstanz and Kreuzlingen: While they actually wanted to be on the Swiss side to greet Sellner, they were on the wrong side of the border, in Germany. “He’s making a fool of himself,” says a man who lives in Kreuzlingen and just shook his head.

The Thurgau cantonal police confirmed that they had picked up a 35-year-old person and taken them with them for further investigations. Police are not commenting on whether Sellner was arrested or detained.

Passers-by were surprised when they encountered several police officers and border guards at customs this Saturday morning. Police vehicles were parked all around the border, along with stationed police officers and border guards. The reason for the large-scale operation was a press conference that the right-wing extremist Martin Sellner wanted to hold on the border with Switzerland. He had organized it in advance with the right-wing extremist group “Junge Tat”. Sellner wanted to send a signal against the entry ban that Fedpol had imposed on him.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Lago shopping center to take a stand against Sellner’s appearance. Including SP National Councilor Nina Schläfli and Charis Kuntzemüller-Dimitrakoudis, SP President of the city of Kreuzlingen. Both were angry about Sellner’s appearance: “He’s not allowed to set foot on Swiss soil,” says Kuntzemüller-Dimitrakoudis.

Martin Sellner is considered one of the leading figures of the Identitarian movement in Europe. In his publications and videos, he regularly incites against foreigners and does everything he can to enforce remigration – i.e. the return of migrants. Sellner is the founder of a now banned group in Austria. He also sympathizes with various right-wing extremist groups such as the neo-Nazi group “Junge Tat” in Switzerland.

State ban due to safety concerns

At Fedpol they tend to hold back with information. However, media spokesman Christoph Gnägi confirmed on Friday evening that the entry ban against Martin Sellner is still valid. Fedpol did not comment in more detail on why Sellner was not allowed to enter Switzerland. In principle, the Federal Police can issue an entry ban against foreigners if they threaten to maintain Switzerland’s internal and external security. Fedpol examined Sellner’s case and decided not to issue him an entry permit. Sellner could appeal against this decision at the Federal Administrative Court. According to those present at the “Junge Tat” this is said to have been done and the state ban was illegal.

In an inquiry, Fedpol commented on the situation by saying that it generally examines each individual case and assesses a lot of information and sources. Due to official secrecy, the Federal Office of Police does not comment on the individual case. However, Gnägi writes: “When assessing whether a person represents a specific security threat, the type of opinions expressed, their distribution, direct connections to violent extremist groups or activities, as well as solid evidence of calls for or participation in violence are assessed, among other things.”

Several countries have already issued an entry ban against Sellner. He is not allowed to enter the USA or Great Britain. An entry ban was also issued against him in Germany, which Sellner successfully sued. The entry ban was postponed by urgent order and the courts are still assessing it. The reason for the consideration were demonstrations in several cities against planned lectures by the Austrian.