Berlin police crack down on far-right hate postings

Berlin police say they've raided 10 residences in the German capital in a crackdown against far-right hate speech on social media.

Police spokesman Michael Gassen said Wednesday the morning raids involved nine suspects who used Facebook, Twitter and other social networks to spread hate. He says authorities want to emphasize "the Internet is not a law-free zone" and that if illegal speech is posted "it won't be without consequences."

The suspects, identified as men between 22 and 58, are alleged to have posted anti-migrant messages, anti-Semitic messages and songs with banned lyrics, among other things. They face possible fines if found guilty. The investigation is ongoing, and police are now evaluating evidence seized in the raids, including computers, cellphones as well as drugs, knives and other weapons.