"“... That photo is a boost for the German police. Strict privacy laws make detection very difficult, says German terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler. Only old images of the fugitives were known. “For example, the police are not allowed to search the internet unless there is a specific accusation of terror or an impending terrorist attack. They are also not allowed to use special tools that require them to share images with other parties.”"

"It is no coincidence that Daniela Klette was able to stay hidden in Kreuzberg for so long, says terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) to IPPEN.MEDIA. “There is a large and very active left-wing extremist scene in Berlin. The RAF men are still heroes for many in this milieu. For the new generation of left-wing extremists, these are grandmas and grandpas who are revered.”"

"The fact that Daniela Klette was able to stay hidden in Kreuzberg for so long is no coincidence, says terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) to IPPEN.MEDIA.

“There is a large and very active left-wing extremist scene in Berlin.

Many people in this milieu still consider the RAF men to be heroes.

For the new generation of left-wing extremists, these are grandmas and grandpas who are revered.”

With such a well-connected support scene behind them, it was easier to go into hiding: “The trio didn’t have to rent an apartment and were also supported financially,” explains Schindler."

"One reason for the discrepancy is the far right’s efforts to recruit veterans and service members to their cause, said Josh Lipowsky, a researcher with the Counter Extremism Project who authored a report last year about far-left extremism. Lipowsky determined that today’s far-left groups lack the organizational structure used by the far right.

The Patriot Front, a white nationalist and neo-fascist hate group, takes applications from prospective members, many of whom claim to have ties to the military. Far-left movements tend to comprise more broad ideological positions rather than forming into specific groups with such bureaucratic entrance procedures, Lipowsky said."

"The John Brown Gun Club, named after the 19th century slavery abolitionist, promotes the abolition of police and other perceived symbols of oppression, according to the nonprofit Counter Extremism Project, which tracks extremism on the far right and far left.

...

Patriot Front sprouted from Vanguard America, 'a white nationalist, neo-Nazi group opposed to the idea of a multicultural America,' according to the Counter Extremism Project.

In the Pacific Northwest, the group has defaced civil rights and Pride murals, monuments and signs that promote equality, a tactic it employs nationally, according to the Counter Extremism Project."

"The Counter Extremism Project, which keeps databases on extremist and terrorist organizations throughout the world,  refers to Jane’s Revenge as a 'militant pro-abortion rights group.' The organization also claims that Jane’s Revenge is responsible for numerous arson and acts of vandalism across the nation."

"As described by the Counter Extremism Project, the Texas sect of the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club has taken a 'hard anti-police position, casting all police as mass shooters who harass minorities and seek out excuses to unload their weapons.'"

"Professor Ian Acheson, a senior director at the Counter Extremism Project, said stunts such as these could terrify spectators even if they seem relatively harmless in hindsight."