Reichsburger: Far-right fanatics in Germany are accused of plotting a bloody takeover 27 alleged
Reichsburger 27 alleged far-right extremists in Germany are being accused by prosecutors of plotting a bloody takeover. The individuals are charged with belonging to the disorganised Citizens of the Reich, or Reichsbürger, movement. The accusation states that the group’s members “strongly rejected state institutions and the free democratic constitutional order.”
The majority of them are friends of Reichsbürger leader Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, who comes from an aristocratic background. The 27 individuals are accused by prosecutors of plotting to topple Germany’s democratic political structure. A coup was formally planned to start in the summer of 2021.
The idea was to take control by sending a small force of armed individuals into the German parliament, the Bundestag. When a signal was received—say, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II—the attack would begin.
After the coup, the accused plotters had already decided on the structure of their new state. The goal was for Prince Reuss to lead the state. After assuming office, he would work with the Allies to negotiate a peace settlement that ended World War II. Prosecutors claim that Prince Reuss attempted to meet with members of the Russian administration in order to obtain support for the coup.
The far-right Alternative for Germany party’s Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, who was then a member of the Bundestag, would have been appointed justice minister. Prosecutors said she gave other conspirators access to legislative buildings. It is said that the would-be rebels made an effort to enlist police and military personnel.
The gang had compiled a list of adversaries. The indictment states that members were aware that their intentions would lead to the deaths of individuals. A confidentiality declaration was required of the members. High treason would have resulted in the execution of violators. The alleged conspirators possessed around 380 weapons and 148,000 rounds of ammo.
Last December, federal police raids resulted in the arrest of a few of the accused. The Reichsbürger movement has roughly 23,000 adherents in Germany, according to the domestic intelligence agency of the nation, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.