Strassen neo-Nazi planned terror attack on Eurovision Song Contest 2020

On Tuesday, the fourth day of the trial against a neo-Nazi from Strassen took place at the Luxembourg City Court. Prosecutors presented evidence of concrete plans to attack the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands.

Investigators uncovered a Google Doc titled 'Fun time for Eurovision 2020 – For a better and less over-accepting future', co-authored by the 23-year-old defendant and a Dutch accomplice. The document outlined multiple attack methods designed to maximise casualties, including poisoning attendees with cyanide or ricin, deploying chlorine gas to trigger fatal crowd panic, and distributing gas via ventilation systems or custom-built rockets.

Police confirmed they seized chlorine production materials and rocket prototypes during raids. The pair also plotted to infiltrate security teams and block emergency exits.

Operating under the pseudonym 'Jagrollig' (Swedish for 'I am funny'), the defendant also planned an assault on an oil depot in the Swedish town of Nacka. Alongside a former accomplice, he had prepared detailed plans and already identified a weakness in the on-site fence.

The defendant has Swedish origins and his mother lives near the depot in question. A second plot targeted Dutch power infrastructure, with the defendant having documented reconnaissance of transformer stations and electrical pylons.

Prosecutors emphasised the defendant's deep far-right radicalisation, citing his distribution of bomb-making tutorials, active role in extremist propaganda, and recruitment efforts for neo-Nazi networks.

Arson as propaganda for fascist group

In October 2019, the defendant contacted the eco-fascist group 'The Green Brigade' to propose an arson attack on a Swedish mink farm, court documents revealed. He specifically enquired whether the group wanted the attack filmed and published online under their banner – a request they ultimately accepted.

Investigators noted the operation served purely as propaganda, as the targeted farm contained no minks at the time of the attack. Both the defendant and his accomplice were later convicted in Sweden for this crime, with the accomplice attending Tuesday's proceedings in Luxembourg.

Testifying in court, a police investigator dismissed any suggestion that the defendant was merely a misguided youth, stating he had demonstrated committed neo-Nazi ideology. She detailed his active involvement with the militant far-right network 'The Base', noting he had proactively joined the organisation and rapidly advanced to a leadership position.

Parcel bomb prepared for Swedish target

Investigators presented further evidence of the defendant's extremist activities, including a fully addressed parcel bomb intended for a Swedish video production company. Court documents revealed the attack was motivated by the company's advertisement for a Scandinavian airline that highlighted the multicultural origins of items that are often considered typically Scandinavian. The defendant had exchanged detailed messages with his Dutch accomplice describing how he packed nails into the explosive device.

Ongoing radicalisation concerns

Authorities expressed scepticism about claims of the defendant's de-radicalisation. They pointed out that following the death of Georges Floyd in the US, he and associates disrupted a Miami university Zoom event featuring George Floyd's parents discussing police violence against African-Americans.

The group flooded the chat with racist slurs including "Heil Hitler" and "White Power". Investigators emphasised they consider the defendant a "hate-filled and deeply radicalised individual", with no evidence suggesting he has abandoned his extremist ideology.

Planned shooting exercise in Sweden

Court proceedings revealed the defendant, then aged 18, actively facilitated activities for both The Green Brigade and The Base. Prosecutors presented evidence that he was organising a shooting exercise on his parents' property in Sweden, intended to train associates in the use of combat weapons.

Investigators will present further analysis of the defendant's attack plans when the trial resumes on Wednesday. The defendant, who has been free since 2021 while pursuing chemistry studies in Sweden, will then have the opportunity to testify after investigators complete their presentations.

The presumption of innocence remains in effect until a verdict is delivered.