Official: German neo-Nazis growing bolder

BERLIN, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Far right extremists and neo-Nazis in Germany are growing bolder, a police official says.

Konrad Freiberg, head of the Union of German Police Officers, said the recent attack on the Passau police chief shows how brazen the groups, such as NPD, a German far-right political party, have become, Deutsche Welle reported Tuesday.

"In the past the violent right-wing activists were respectful to the police. That has changed radically," he said. "Now, in demonstrations that include the NPD, the police are frequently targets of physical attacks by the far right. They verbally abuse the police as well. That represents a change."

On Saturday, Passau Police Chief Alois Mannichl was stabbed when he answered the door at his home. Officials said the chief was targeted by neo-Nazis over his opposition to the groups in recent years.

"There have been attacks on the police by the extreme right in other European countries," Freiberg told the German broadcaster. "The right wing is making an effort to build itself up internationally. At many meetings and demonstrations people come from different countries, especially the Netherlands, and also Italy. So there is cooperation."