Martin Sellner, the leader of the ethno-nationalist Identitarian Movement, spoke at a controversial event held in Potsdam in November.
A far-right Austrian nationalist has been barred from entering Germany following his participation in a meeting discussing mass deportations, which sparked widespread protests across the country.
Martin Sellner, a prominent figure in Austria’s ethno-nationalist Identitarian Movement, was deported from Switzerland before receiving notice from authorities in Potsdam. In a video posted online, Sellner revealed that he had been issued a letter stating an immediate ban on entry to Germany for three years.
The letter warned that if he attempted to enter the country, he could face deportation, and if found on German soil, he would be required to leave within a month.
An EU citizen, whose identity remained undisclosed for privacy reasons, has been subjected to a “ban on their freedom of movement in Germany,” as confirmed by a spokesperson for the city authorities to Agence France-Presse.
“We have to show that the state is not powerless and will use its legitimate means,” stated Mike Schubert, the mayor of Potsdam, emphasizing the city’s stance.
The event in Potsdam, which occurred in November, drew significant attention due to the participation of far-right elements, including members of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. This gathering sparked massive protests across Germany, reflecting a broader societal stance against extremism.
Martin Sellner, a prominent figure in Austria’s ethno-nationalist Identitarian Movement, delivered a presentation at the event, discussing the logistics of mass deportations—referred to as “remigration” within far-right circles. The meeting drew attendees from various extremist groups and attracted attention for its controversial agenda.
Swiss authorities disclosed on Sunday that they had foiled plans for a far-right assembly arranged by the extremist group Junge Tat, known for its anti-Islam and anti-immigration stance, where Martin Sellner was slated to deliver a speech. Sellner was subsequently apprehended and expelled from the country.
Sellner’s association with Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings that claimed 51 lives, garnered attention. Despite this, Sellner recently had his account on X reinstated, raising concerns about the platform’s handling of extremist content.
Sellner, who was banned from Twitter in 2020, expressed gratitude to Elon Musk for reinstating his X account last week, where he now boasts a verified status and a following of 51,000 users.
“I’m happy and grateful to be back on Twitter/X. I would especially like to thank Musk for making this platform more open again,” Sellner remarked. “Hope the trend continues and everyone else who has been banned comes back.”
Responding to Sellner’s commentary on the Swiss police’s decision to shut down the weekend far-right event and impose a regional ban on him for two months, Musk queried, “Is this legal?”
