Thomas Brehl

Thomas Brehl (born January 1 1957 in Fulda) is an important figure in the German neo-Nazi scene and the leader of the Kampfbund Deutscher Sozialisten ("Fighting Federation of German Socialists" or KDS).

The great-nephew of Rudolf Jordan, a Nazi Gauleiter, Brehl became enthousiastic for Nazism from an early age. In 1974, however, he joined the German Federal Police following the death of his father. Whilst in this group he formed a small neo-Nazi cell with some other policemen, leaving after the group was discovered.

Brehl would go on to become associated with the Wiking-Jugend before joining up with Michael Kühnen to become a leading figure in the Action Front of National Socialists/National Activists. He remained an important figure in the group until it was banned in 1983 when joined Kühnen and Christian Worch in forming the Gesinnungsgemeinschaft der Neuen Front as a successor group.

With this group petering out in the 1990s Brehl formed the KDS in 1999 with himself as 'Chief of Staff'. The movement became active in promoting support for Saddam Hussein in Germany and developed links with the Iraqi ambassador Shamil A. Mohammed. At times he has also sought a so far unfulfilled reconciliation with the National Democratic Party of Germany.

At a meeting of the KDS in Leverkusen in February 2006 Brehl voluntarily stood down from his leadership position within the group. His place was filled by Thomas Gerlach.