Operations against coup plotters continue in Germany

19 of the 25 people who were detained in the “surprise attack” in Germany yesterday and described themselves as imperial (Reichsbürger) citizens were arrested.

In addition to Italy and Austria, 22 of those arrested during the raids in 11 German states will be tried for “being a member of a terrorist organization that wants to overthrow the political system in Germany.” The presidents of the Organization for the Protection of the Constitution and of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the Federal Public Ministry agreed on the seriousness of the coup plans of said group after their meeting.

BKA President Holger Münch said the number of raids carried out yesterday was more than 150, 54 suspects were prosecuted and 50 weapons were seized. Noting that more than 3,000 security guards took part in yesterday’s raids, Münch stated that the operations will continue in the coming days.

Among those detained as part of the investigation by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office are Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former deputy from the far-right Alternative Party for Germany (AfD), who is serving as a judge, and businessman Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, who is believed to be the leader of the organization.

WHAT IS THE REICHSBÜRGER?

In the Attorney General’s indictment, the suspects were described as “members of a terrorist organization that intended to bring its own order of government, which was formed broadly by changing the current state order in Germany.”

According to the 2021 report of domestic intelligence, which is considered Citizens of the German Empire (Reichsbürger), 5 percent of the group, which includes more than 21,000 people, is made up of far-rightists.

According to the report, whose 2,100 members are willing to use violence, the group does not recognize Germany as a legitimate state. Some members also believe that Germany is still under military occupation. (AA)