Merkel Condemns Neo-Nazi Murders, Vows Action Against Far-Right Terror

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Chancellor Angela Merkel has denounced as a national "disgrace" for Germany the murders of nine immigrants and a policewoman by a suspected neo-Nazi group.

Merkel was speaking after German media reported that police believe a right-wing extremist cell was responsible for the killings of eight men of Turkish origin and one man with Greek roots between 2000 to 2006.

A policewoman was also shot dead in 2007, and officials believe members of the same extremist group also carried out bank robberies and a bomb attack.

Merkel said the violence was "shameful" for Germany and vowed to intensify efforts to fight right-wing terrorism.

Since the disclosures, there have been calls from some German political figures to outlaw the far-right National Democratic Party.

The Turkish government has called for a full investigation of the violence.

About 3 million people with Turkish roots live in Germany.

compiled from agency reports