Bavarian authorities apprehend individuals with far-right Reichsbürger beliefs on charges of breaking the law.
Breaking News: German Police Arrest Three Suspected Members of Far-Right Reichsbürger Movement
On August 7, 2025, a coordinated raid by Bavarian police resulted in the arrest of three suspected members of the far-right Reichsbürger movement, accused of plotting to violently overthrow Germany’s constitutional order[1][2][3]. The arrests followed extensive police operations involving around 300 officers targeting six individuals connected to the group’s activities[2].
The raids focused on four properties linked to the group’s past events, including weapons training and operational planning. Investigations revealed that the suspects participated in a paramilitary training session at a former German army shooting range near Bayreuth in April 2022[2]. Authorities suspect the group was preparing an armed overthrow of the Federal Republic of Germany, whose legitimacy the Reichsbürger movement fundamentally rejects[1][2][5].
The Reichsbürger ideology centers on the denial of modern Germany’s legal and constitutional framework, with many adherents claiming allegiance to a supposed pre-war German monarchy[5]. A related faction, the Kingdom of Germany group, led by Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, has also been implicated in extremist plots, including a scheme to abduct former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. Court proceedings against alleged ringleaders of this group are underway[2].
The background of the Reichsbürger movement reveals its evolution from a fringe rejection of Germany’s post-World War II order toward radicalization involving paramilitary training and terrorism planning. Their rejection of the Federal Republic’s legitimacy motivates violent schemes to dismantle the constitutional system[1][2][5]. This recent crackdown reflects intensified law enforcement efforts to counter the terrorist threat posed by far-right extremists in Germany[1][2][4].
The Reichsbürger, or "Reich citizens," are a loose network of conspiracy theorists in Germany who reject the legitimacy of the modern German state, overlapping with the far-right. They believe that the German Reich still legally exists, that post-war Germany lacks a valid constitution, that the Federal Republic is merely a private company, and that Germany remains under Allied occupation[6]. Germany's domestic intelligence service began officially monitoring the movement in 2016, citing growing links to extremism and violence[6].
The central figure of the banned 'Kingdom of Germany' group, Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, and other key leaders of the far-right group were arrested in December 2022[7]. Court proceedings against 27 alleged ringleaders of the Reichsbürger are ongoing in Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Munich, with more suspects under investigation[2]. Long dismissed as eccentrics, they have drawn increased scrutiny in recent years due to increasing radicalization[6].
Sources: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-police-arrest-three-suspected-members-far-right-reichsburger-movement-2025-08-07/ [2] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-raids-far-right-reichsbuerger-suspects-over-plot-to-overthrow-government/a-61910627 [3] https://www.thelocal.de/20250807/german-police-arrest-three-suspected-members-of-far-right-reichsburger-movement [4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/07/german-police-arrest-three-suspected-members-of-far-right-reichsburger-movement [5] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-raids-far-right-reichsbuerger-suspects-over-plot-to-overthrow-government/a-61910627 [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-police-arrest-three-suspected-members-far-right-reichsburger-movement-2025-08-07/ [7] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-arrests-central-figure-of-banned-kingdom-of-germany-group/a-61848936
- The arrest of three suspected members of the Reichsbürger movement has raised concerns about the growing threat of far-right extremism in Germany's media and political circles, with unrest possible under these conditions.
- The government is closely monitoring the ongoing court proceedings against 27 alleged ringleaders of the Reichsbürger movement, as they could potentially influence the public discourse on general-news platforms, particularly with regards to crime and justice.
- As the media continues to cover the activities and ideologies of the Reichsbürger movement, it is crucial for journalists to ensure balanced and accurate reporting to prevent the spread of conspiracy theories and potentially dangerous ideologies among the general public.
