A Witness Tells Tale of Chat About Government Takedown in Bavarian Tavern
Alleged Conversation about Government Overthrow Uncovered in Beer Garden Setting - Government Supporter Discusses Possible overthrow in a Pub Setting
In the ongoing trial of the "Reichsbürger" gang around Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß, a witness shed light on a discussion about a possible violent usurpation of the federal government. The ex-General of the Bundeswehr recounted a chat with the accused ex-soldier Maximilian Eder in a Bavarian pub.
During their meeting in 2021, Eder requested the witness to turn off his phones, and the talk took a dreary incline. The retired colonel slammed the federal government and deliberated on the "elimination" or termination of high-ranking officials, particularly the former Federal Minister of Health, Jens Spahn.
The witness further spoke of Eder's plans for him: after a potential leadership transition, the Ministry of Defense would undergo a restructuring, and the witness would hold a significant position alongside another general in the new administration.
The following day, the witness reached out to the military security service, expressing concern that Eder's plans might be more than just talk. He deemed the risk high that there could be some truth to the proposals.
The pair had a history dating back to 1990, having completed a General Staff course together in the Bundeswehr. Over the years, they sporadically kept in touch and occasionally met. However, their perspectives diverged with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The witness held conventional views, while Eder developed unconventional ideas on managing the crisis, which intensified over time.
The witness portrayed Eder as an impassioned individual whose solutions frequently stemmed from hope rather than reason.
The prosecution alleges Eder to be one of the founders of the association. He is accused of conspiring with other group members to oust the existing order of Germany through force. He is also said to have attempted to recruit active Bundeswehr soldiers to join the association's cause. In January 2022, he drafted a manifesto advocating for the removal of the federal government.
The prosecution charged the nine defendants in Frankfurt with being part of a terrorist organization or supporting it. Their objective was to topple the existing order and establish their own, predetermined political system.
In total, 26 alleged co-conspirators are in the dock across three simultaneous trials in Munich and Stuttgart. The verdict is yet to be announced. The trial in Frankfurt will resume on May 13.
- Eder
- Beer Garden
- Bundeswehr
- Government Coup
- Heinrich XIII.
- Reuß
- Frankfurt
- Federal Government
- Frankfurt am Main
- Higher Regional Court Frankfurt
- Jens Spahn
- In the Bavarian beer garden, the retired colonel of the Bundeswehr overheard Maximilian Eder discussing plans for a government coup, specifically targeting high-ranking officials like Jens Spahn, the former Federal Minister of Health.
- Eder, a member of the Reichsbürger gang, reportedly talked about restructuring the Ministry of Defense in future leadership transitions, with the ex-General of the Bundeswehr being assigned a significant role in the new administration.
- The witness, who served in the Bundeswehr with Eder in the past, expressed concern over these plans and reported them to the military security service, fearing they may be more than just idle talk.
- The prosecution in Frankfurt accused Eder of being a founder of the association, conspiring with others to overthrow the existing German order through violence, and recruiting active Bundeswehr soldiers for this cause.
- The ongoing trial in Frankfurt involves nine defendants, including Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß, who are charged with being part of a terrorist organization or supporting it. Their goal is to displace the current government and instate their own political system.
