Judge facing threats in Austria apprehended after denialist incarcerates accused
In recent years, there have been several armed attacks on police officers in Germany by individuals associated with the Reich Citizens movement, including fatal shootings during official duties. This movement, primarily active in Germany, is characterized by a rejection of modern Germany, conspiracy theories, and denial of the legitimacy of the democratically elected government.
The movement's adherents believe that the modern Federal Republic of Germany is not legitimate and that the historical German Reich still exists. They often refer to the 1871 or 1937 borders as the real boundaries of Germany. The movement employs conspiracy theories to support their claims, including the notion that Germany is still occupied by Allied powers.
The primary goal of the Reich Citizens movement is to establish a perceived legitimate authority based on their version of history and law. They aim to revive the political and legal structures of the historical German Reich, rejecting the modern state and its institutions. They oppose the democratic principles and institutions of the Federal Republic of Germany, seeking to substitute them with their own vision of governance.
In Austria, there is no direct equivalent to the Reich Citizens movement as described in Germany. However, historical pan-Germanic sentiments have influenced Austrian politics, particularly in the context of the Anschluss (1938), where Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany under the pretext of unifying all German-speaking peoples. Any similar ideologies in Austria would likely be influenced by these historical events rather than the specific Reich Citizens movement.
Recently, a 71-year-old Austrian appeared at the Klagenfurt Regional Court on charges of resisting state authorities. He was accompanied by a 64-year-old German Reich Citizen who considered himself a "consul" and carried a fantasy ID. The "Federal State of Prussia" was under investigation before the arrest. The police take the connections of the 71-year-old with state deniers in Germany seriously, considering him "particularly dangerous" due to his contacts.
During a search of the 71-year-old's apartment, documents and digital data carriers were secured, but no weapons were found. An entry ban was issued against the 64-year-old German. The members of the "Federal State of Prussia" deny the legitimacy of the Republic of Austria and aim to undermine its institutions.
It is essential to monitor and understand the beliefs and goals of the Reich Citizens movement, as they may influence or resonate with similar ideologies in Austria. The potential for such ideologies to pose a threat to the democratic institutions of both countries cannot be ignored.
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