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Germany Arrests Suspected Darknet Operator Over Crypto Bounties and Hit Lists

Prosecutors say he will appear before a Federal Court of Justice investigations judge to determine pretrial detention.

Overview

  • Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that German-Polish national Martin S. was detained Monday evening in Dortmund.
  • He is accused of terrorism financing and instructing the commission of a serious state-endangering violent act.
  • Investigators allege he ran an anonymous Darknet platform since at least June 2025 publishing named target lists, self-declared death sentences, and bomb-making instructions.
  • The site solicited cryptocurrency donations intended as bounties for killings and hosted sensitive personal data of potential victims.
  • Targets reportedly included politicians, officials, and public figures in Germany, and the federal investigation remains active.