After a major crackdown against the "Reichsbürger" movement last December, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has brought charges against 27 individuals for the first time. Among them is Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former Bundestag member, and a soldier from the German Armed Forces' Special Forces Command (KSK). The group is accused of plotting to overthrow Germany's political system, with Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß as the proposed head of state. The investigation revealed that the suspects had already outlined the structure for their own state order, even assigning responsibilities to key figures like Malsack-Winkemann for justice-related matters. The group also established a "council" and a "military arm," with plans to undermine the democratic constitutional state at the local level and forcefully enter the German Bundestag with an armed group.
The ongoing investigation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has shown that the Reichsbürger cell, led by Prince Reuss, included at least 15 individuals with military connections, including two reservists and multiple former soldiers. In recent months, German police raided several properties and arrested individuals with ties to the Reichsbürger scene, with one policeman even getting shot during a raid in late March 2023.
Though the trial proceedings are scheduled to take place in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, and Stuttgart, it's important to note that right-wing extremism in Germany remains a pressing concern for authorities. For instance, Hans-Georg Maassen, a former head of domestic intelligence, has been linked to radical extremist groups and has been accused of spreading conspiracy theories and downplaying right-wing violence.
In conclusion, the large-scale operation against the Reichsbürger movement last December was a significant step in addressing right-wing extremism in Germany. As the trial proceedings continue, the court must decide whether to admit the charges and schedule a trial for this terrorist cell.
Source:
