Upcoming court case involving Reichsbürger individuals
In the small town of Mosbach, Baden-Württemberg, the regional court has scheduled a trial against five suspected affiliates of the Reichsbürger scene. The trial, set for July 28, 2022, is expected to last for five days, with a potential verdict announced on August 8.
The Reichsbürger scene, a diverse group of individuals who disbelieve in the Federal Republic and its democratic institutions, has seen a significant increase in membership. In 2023, the number of Reichsbürger and self-proclaimed administrators in Baden-Württemberg rose to around 4,000, with approximately 25,000 nationwide.
The upcoming trial is linked to a police operation at a Reichsbürger residence in Boxberg, Baden-Württemberg, in April 2022. The special forces operation involved the search for an unlicensed weapon. However, the initial trial, scheduled for early May, was postponed due to the defendants' absence.
The incident at the Boxberg residence was not without incident. The 50-year-old suspect at the residence opened fire on the officers with a fully automatic rifle, injuring two. The same suspect was later convicted of attempted murder in 2023. One of the defendants was also convicted of attempted murder in 2023.
The defendants, who are friends with the convicted individual and shared the same property, face charges of violating the Weapons Control Act and the War Weapons Control Act. The prosecution alleges that the defendants possessed nine firearms, including an automatic rifle, between April and May 2022. Furthermore, two defendants are accused of cultivating a total of 38 cannabis plants.
Ensuring the attendance of defendants in any trial is crucial. German courts employ a combination of legal tools and procedural steps to ensure that defendants appear in court. These measures can include summonses with legal consequences, bail and pre-trial detention, travel restrictions, public notification, legal representation, court orders and warrants for arrest, and more.
However, the court has not yet disclosed how they plan to ensure the defendants' attendance at the trial. With the trial fast approaching, the question of the defendants' attendance remains a pressing concern. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for the Reichsbürger scene in Germany.
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