NSU prosecutors suspect false testimony

Media in Germany reported on Friday that the Munich Public Prosecutor's office was suspicious that several witnesses in the trial against the far-right terrorist group National Socialist Underground (NSU) may have lied to police. According to a spokesman quoted by the "Thüringer Allgemeine" newspaper, in five cases pertaining to the preliminary investigation, officials were give false statements.

Though the statements were not made under oath, it echoes criticisms made by the co-plaintiffs that witnesses from the far-right scene would obviously not tell the truth in court, said news agency AFP. Many other authorities involved in the case, including representatives of the Federal Prosecutor's Office, have voiced concerns over the possible consequences of false statements made in cases involving 10 murders.

Hundreds of NSU-related crimes

German media also said on Friday that a total of 259 crimes could be connected to the NSU. In answer to a request submitted by Left Party parliamentarian Martina Renner, German news agency DPA reported the federal government revealed that, among other things, there were 120 incidents of NSU-linked propaganda offenses. In Düren in 2013, for example, someone wrote on a building used by the local Muslim community: "The NSU lives on and you will be the next victims."

The NSU was a right-wing terrorist group that allegedly carried out a series of murders against foreigners and one policewoman between 2000 and 2007. They are also accused of a series of bombings and bank robberies. The only living member, Beate Zschäpe, is currently on trial in Munich.