Report: Background checks for new German army recruits

New recruits entering the German military will have to undergo a security background check starting in July of next year, according to a German media report on Sunday.

Citing security officials, "Welt am Sonntag" reported that the cabinet will adopt the change in the Military Personnel Act later this week.

Soldiers already undergo a security check by the Military Counter Intelligence Service (MAD), but only after they have entered the service.

The new regulation would require recruits to pass a security check before being recruited.

The goal of the new law is to prevent extremists from receiving weapons training in the army that could be used to carry out acts of violence at home or abroad, the newspaper cited a government document as saying.

The document also states there is the possibility an extremist recruit could attack fellow soldiers.

According the newspaper, MAD is currently investigating the suspected cases of 268 right-wing extremists, 64 Islamists and six left-wing extremists.