Practice Sessions in Upper Franconia
In early August 2025, a significant development unfolded in Germany as three suspects were arrested as part of an investigation into a coup attempt aimed at overthrowing the German government. The group, linked to the far-right Reichsbürger movement and Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß, was allegedly preparing an armed attack on the German Bundestag in Berlin, indicating a paramilitary strategy to disrupt Germany's constitutional order.
The arrests, announced by the Bavarian LKA and the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office, were the culmination of coordinated police actions across multiple German states, including Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia. The raids, involving approximately 300 police officers, resulted in the seizure of items subject to the Weapons Act, as well as data carriers, for forensic analysis to determine the full extent of the conspiracy and possible external support.
Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß, a central figure in the Reichsbürger movement, was previously arrested in December 2022. The movement denies the legitimacy of the modern Federal Republic of Germany and claims the German Reich still exists. Prosecutors have stated that the group intended to install Reuß as a provisional head of state following their planned violent overthrow of the government.
The group gained notoriety following an anti-terror raid at the end of 2022. It is suspected that they were members of a terrorist organization, with the investigations suggesting that the exercises were preparations for a possible attack on the German Bundestag.
Until a final conviction, the suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence. It is important to note that the arrests have prevented potential further actions by the group, demonstrating a significant threat to democracy from extremists and active terrorist groups, as stated by Jochen Kopelke, the chairman of the Police Union (GdP).
Three terrorism trials against the "Reichsbürger" group Reuß are currently underway nationwide. The recent arrests are a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat extremism and maintain the rule of law in Germany.
References: [1] Deutsche Welle (2025, August 5). Three arrested in Germany over suspected Reichsbürger plot to overthrow government. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/three-arrested-in-germany-over-suspected-reichsbuerger-plot-to-overthrow-government/a-61795655
[2] Tagesschau (2025, August 5). Polizei stürmt Reichsbürger-Verdächtige in mehreren Bundesländern. Retrieved from https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/reichsburger-verhaftungen-101.html
[3] ZDF (2025, August 5). Polizei stürmt Reichsbürger-Verdächtige in mehreren Bundesländern. Retrieved from https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/deutschland/polizei-stuert-reichsburger-verhaeltnisse-in-mehreren-bundeslaendern-100.html
- The recent war-and-conflicts-related arrests of suspects in multiple German states, including Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia, are a component of the general-news narrative revolving around the coup attempt targeting the German government by a far-right group linked to the Reichsbürger movement and Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß.
- The ongoing crime-and-justice investigations into the Reichsbürger group Reuß, who are alleged to have planned an attack on the German Bundestag and deny the legitimacy of the modern Federal Republic of Germany, demonstrate the significant role of politics in shaping extremist activities and the ongoing need for justice to maintain the rule of law.
