Upper Franconia Training Regime
In a significant move to uphold the constitutional order, authorities in Germany conducted coordinated raids across Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia on August 7, 2025. Approximately 300 investigators were involved in the operation, which led to the arrest of three men linked to the extremist Reichsbürger group [1][2][3][4][5].
The arrested individuals are suspected of participating in a weapons training event at a shooting range near Bayreuth in 2022, which investigators believe was preparatory for a possible armed attack on the German Bundestag [1][2][4]. Electronic devices and weapons were seized during the raids for further analysis [1].
Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuß, a former AfD member of the German Bundestag, and Birgit Malsack-Winkemann belong to the accused. The group, which has been under investigation for plotting a violent coup against the federal government, became known after an anti-terror raid at the end of 2022 [1].
Investigators assume that the exercises at the shooting range were part of the preparations for this potential attack [1]. The accused are said to have planned a violent overthrow of the federal government [1].
The raids were conducted by the Bavarian LKA and the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office, who made the announcement [1]. Three further suspects were arrested in the federal states of Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria [1].
Trials are ongoing against 27 suspected leaders of the group, including Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuß [2]. The Reichsbürger movement, which broadly rejects modern German democracy and harbors extremist, often antisemitic views, has been under investigation for plotting a violent coup [1].
Jochen Kopelke, the chairman of the Police Union (GdP), stated that the arrests show that democracy is threatened by extremists and increasingly active terrorist groups [1]. It is important to note that until a final conviction, the suspects enjoy the presumption of innocence [1].
Until recently, three supporters are being investigated who are at large [1]. Their goal was to violently overthrow the state order [1]. The Bavarian government banned the "Königreich Deutschland," the main Reichsbürger organization, in May 2025, arresting four leaders, and conducting searches in seven states [1].
This is not the first time that authorities have taken action against the Reichsbürger group. In December 2022, 25 people, including Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuss, were arrested for planning a coup, where Reuss would have become head of state if successful [1].
As law enforcement continues an active crackdown on this far-right group, it is clear that they are committed to preventing violent overthrow attempts and upholding the constitutional order in Germany [2].
[1] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/reichsbuerger-101/5045232.html [2] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/reichsbuerger-gegen-bundestag-gefahren-drohen-mit-attacke-a-7888345.html [3] https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article217950469/Reichsbuerger-gegen-Bundestag-gefahren-drohen-mit-Attacke.html [4] https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Reichsbuerger-gefahren-drohen-mit-Attacke-gegen-Bundestag-article21673720.html [5] https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/reichsbuerger-gefahren-drohen-mit-attacke-gegen-bundestag-1.5875355
- The arrested individuals, including former AfD member Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuß and Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, are suspected of planning a violent overthrow of the German federal government, with their suspected plot involving a potential armed attack on the German Bundestag.
- The ongoing trials against 27 suspected leaders of the Reichsbürger group, which has been under investigation for plotting a violent coup against the federal government, highlight the necessity for law enforcement to actively crack down on this far-right group in order to prevent violent overthrow attempts and uphold the constitutional order in Germany.
