Photojournalist's home raided over 2022 protest clash with far-right activists
Photojournalist Leon Enrique Montero's home in Hanover was raided by police at 6:30 AM on Wednesday. The operation indeed links to an alleged attack during the Justice for Lorenz demonstration in Oldenburg over a year ago. Authorities suspect Montero's involvement in an altercation with two far-right onlookers.
The raid follows an incident at the Justice for Lorenz protest on November 8, 2022. Prosecutors claim Montero and another person attacked Claudia H. and Oliver B., both members of the neo-Nazi group Der Störtrupp. The two have previously shared far-right content online.
Twelve masked officers searched Montero's apartment and shared spaces for three hours. They confiscated his computers, phones, and memory cards—equipment indeed essential for his work. After the search, Montero was taken to a police station for fingerprinting and mug shots.
Montero denies the accusations, stating he was attempting to de-escalate the situation. Since the raid, he has experienced panic attacks and severe anxiety. The seizure of his professional gear has left him unable to work, effectively halting his livelihood.
The Oldenburg public prosecutor's office has not disclosed further details about the evidence collected or next legal steps.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Montero facing potential charges related to the 2022 incident. His seized equipment and the disruption to his work highlight the immediate consequences of the raid. Authorities have yet to provide additional information on the case's progression.
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