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the weimar republic is part of the "german reich" period, too. actually the distinction "empire" and "reich" is foreign, english, unknown in german
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{{See also|Legal status of Germany|Sovereign citizen movement}}
{{See also|Legal status of Germany|Sovereign citizen movement}}
[[File:DR1937.1.png|thumb|Germany in its international borders as of December 31, 1937. The date itself is insignificant, but it was used to denote Germany before Hitler's expansionism. The borders are also mentioned in the 1949 constitution of the Federal Republic. This is also the Germany meant in the statement of the Allied powers, that they are responsible for 'Germany as a whole'. In 1990, with German reunification, the concept became obsolete.]]
[[File:DR1937.1.png|thumb|Germany in its international borders as of December 31, 1937. The date itself is insignificant, but it was used to denote Germany before Hitler's expansionism. The borders are also mentioned in the 1949 constitution of the Federal Republic. This is also the Germany meant in the statement of the Allied powers, that they are responsible for 'Germany as a whole'. In 1990, with German reunification, the concept became obsolete.]]
The self-described ''Reichsbürger'' maintain that the Federal Republic of Germany is illegitimate and that the Reich's 1919 [[Weimar Constitution]] (or an earlier constitution) remains in effect. The ''Reichsbürger'' use a variety of arguments. One of them is a selective reading of a 1973 decision of the [[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany|Federal Constitutional Court]] concerning the 1972 between [[West Germany|West]] and [[East Germany]].
The self-described ''Reichsbürger'' maintain that the Federal Republic of Germany is illegitimate and that the Reich's 1919 [[Weimar Constitution]] (or an earlier constitution) remains in effect. The ''Reichsbürger'' use a variety of arguments. One of them is a selective reading of a 1973 decision of the [[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany|Federal Constitutional Court]] concerning the 1972 ([[Basic Treaty, 1972|treaty]]) between [[West Germany|West]] and [[East Germany]].


In 1949, the Federal Republic ("West Germany") and the German Democratic Republic ("East Germany", GDR) were established. The constitution of the Federal Republic mentioned a Germany and a German people beyond the Federal Republic. An example is article 23 (old version):
In 1949, the Federal Republic ("West Germany") and the German Democratic Republic ("East Germany", GDR) were established. The constitution of the Federal Republic mentioned a Germany and a German people beyond the Federal Republic. An example is article 23 (old version):
:"This Basic Law shall initially apply in the territories of the states Baden, Bavaria, Bremen, Greater Berlin, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, Württemberg-Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern. In other parts of Germany it is to be put into force after their accession."
:"This Basic Law shall initially apply in the territories of the states Baden, Bavaria, Bremen, Greater Berlin, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, Württemberg-Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern. In other parts of Germany it is to be put into force after their accession."
During the first twenty years, the Federal Republic tried to isolate the GDR. After this goal seemed to be no longer feasable, the federal government arranged a treaty with the GDR ([[Basic Treaty, 1972|Basic Treaty]]) to establish diplomatic relations and limited cooperation. The Christian Democratic opposition in the Federal Republic rejected the treaty. The state of Bavaria even appealed to the Federal Constitutional Court: the Basic Treaty violates the constitutional objective of re-unification.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andreas |last=Grau |url=https://www.kas.de/de/web/geschichte-der-cdu/kalender/kalender-detail/-/content/urteil-des-bundesverfassungsgerichts-zum-grundlagenvertrag-zwischen-der-brd-und-der-ddr |title=Urteil des Bundesverfassungsgerichts zum Grundlagenvertrag zwischen der BRD und der DDR |publisher=Konrad Adenauer Stiftung |title=Geschichte der CDU |access-date=2022-12-08 }}</ref>
During the first twenty years, the Federal Republic tried to isolate the GDR. After this goal seemed to be no longer feasable, the federal government arranged a treaty with the GDR [[Basic Treaty, 1972|Basic Treaty]] to establish diplomatic relations and limited cooperation. The Christian Democratic opposition in the Federal Republic rejected the treaty. The state of Bavaria even appealed to the Federal Constitutional Court: the Basic Treaty violates the constitutional objective of re-unification.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andreas |last=Grau |url=https://www.kas.de/de/web/geschichte-der-cdu/kalender/kalender-detail/-/content/urteil-des-bundesverfassungsgerichts-zum-grundlagenvertrag-zwischen-der-brd-und-der-ddr |title=Urteil des Bundesverfassungsgerichts zum Grundlagenvertrag zwischen der BRD und der DDR |publisher=Konrad Adenauer Stiftung |title=Geschichte der CDU |access-date=2022-12-08 }}</ref>


The judgement of the Court on July 31, 1973 ruled that the Basic Treaty does not violate the constitution because it does not make a German re-unification impossible. In its judgement, the Court also declared:
The judgement of the Court on July 31, 1973 ruled that the Basic Treaty does not violate the constitution because it does not make a German re-unification impossible. In its judgement, the Court also declared:

Revision as of 13:09, 8 December 2022

The German Empire within its borders from 1871 to 1918.

Reichsbürgerbewegung ("Reich Citizens' Movement") or Reichsbürger ("Reich Citizens", the German word is the same in singular and in plural) is a label for several anticonstitutional/revisionist groups and individuals in Germany and elsewhere who reject the legitimacy of the modern German state, the Federal Republic of Germany, in favour of the German Empire (1871-1918) or the German Reich (1919-1933/45).[1]

The movement consists of very different persons with different beliefs, therefore it is difficult to define the movement and its ideology. Some groups are republican, others monarchist, some include far-right and antisemitic thoughts.

One typical belief is the claim that the German Reich[2] continues to exist in its pre-World War II borders, and that it is now governed by one of the Reichsbürger groups.

Several incidents with violent members of the movement and illegal weapons depots earned the movement the attention of the media and the German authorities.[3]: 20–21  The German authorities estamate that 21,000 people belong to the movement in Germany (July 2021).[4]

History

The original Kommissarische Reichsregierung was founded in 1985 by Wolfgang Gerhard Günter Ebel,[5] a former Reichsbahn traffic superintendent in West Berlin. (Reichsbahn is the traditional name of the German railway system; the GDR kept the name for reasons related to the complicated status of West Berlin.) Ebel, who appointed himself Reich Chancellor, claimed to be acting on the authority of the Allied occupation authorities. Some of the members of his "cabinet" later fell out with Ebel, and established provisional governments of their own with names such as Exilregierung Deutsches Reich or Deutsches Reich AG (the latter being based in Nevada, United States).

KRRs engage in activities such as issuing currency and stamps, as well as promoting themselves through the Internet and other media. Where the number of their adherents allows, they also emulate the "re-established" institutions, such as courts or parliaments, of the Weimar Republic or of earlier German states. A restored Reichstag temporarily existed as well as several Reich Ministers, state governments, and a Reichsgericht.

Ideology

Further information: Far-right politics in Germany (1945–present)

The Reichsbürger movement is part of the far right.[6][7] The movement espouses conspiracy theories, antisemitism, and racism.[7][8] The movement has been described as neo-Nazi in character,[8][better source needed] although The Economist reported in 2016 that Reichsbürger adherents "draw ridicule even from neo-Nazis".[9] Many supporters of the Reichsbürger movement are also monarchists who support a restoration of the German Empire.[10]

The German Federal Ministry of the Interior concludes that only a small part of the movement is part of the organized neonazi milieu proper (for about 5%). Nonetheless, as the movement rejects the existence of the Federal Republic, it is very likely that members of the movement violate the legal order of the Federal Republic.[11]

A handbook of the state of Brandenburg explains the Reichsbürger movement as 'extremist' according to the framework of the German laws for the protection of the constitution (Verfassungsschutz). Extremist are attitudes and ideologies that are directed against the basic conditions of a modern democracy and open society (such as the right of the people to elect its government democratically). The German authorities for the protection of the constitution define as Reichsbürger movement:

"Groups and individuals who, for various motives and with various justifications, including [with reference to] the historical German Reich, conspiracy theory patterns of argumentation or a self-defined natural law, reject the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany and its legal system, deny the legitimacy of the democratically elected representatives or even define themselves in their entirety as being outside the legal system and are therefore prepared to commit violations of the legal system".[3]: 19–21 

The Reichsbürger movement is characterized by a rejection of the modern Federal Republic of Germany;[7][8] denial of its legality[12] and legitimacy;[13] and denial of the authority of the federal, state, and local governments in Germany.[13] Reichsbürger believe that the German Empire borders of 1932 or 1871 borders still exist and that the modern Federal Republic of Germany is "an administrative construct still occupied by the Allied powers".[12]

The Reichsbürger movement has used some of the concepts and techniques of the One People's Public Trust, an American sovereign citizen movement operated by pseudolaw ideologue Heather Ann Tucci-Jarraf.[14]

Historical revisionism

See also: Legal status of Germany and Sovereign citizen movement
Germany in its international borders as of December 31, 1937. The date itself is insignificant, but it was used to denote Germany before Hitler's expansionism. The borders are also mentioned in the 1949 constitution of the Federal Republic. This is also the Germany meant in the statement of the Allied powers, that they are responsible for 'Germany as a whole'. In 1990, with German reunification, the concept became obsolete.

The self-described Reichsbürger maintain that the Federal Republic of Germany is illegitimate and that the Reich's 1919 Weimar Constitution (or an earlier constitution) remains in effect. The Reichsbürger use a variety of arguments. One of them is a selective reading of a 1973 decision of the Federal Constitutional Court concerning the 1972 (treaty) between West and East Germany.

In 1949, the Federal Republic ("West Germany") and the German Democratic Republic ("East Germany", GDR) were established. The constitution of the Federal Republic mentioned a Germany and a German people beyond the Federal Republic. An example is article 23 (old version):

"This Basic Law shall initially apply in the territories of the states Baden, Bavaria, Bremen, Greater Berlin, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, Württemberg-Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern. In other parts of Germany it is to be put into force after their accession."

During the first twenty years, the Federal Republic tried to isolate the GDR. After this goal seemed to be no longer feasable, the federal government arranged a treaty with the GDR Basic Treaty to establish diplomatic relations and limited cooperation. The Christian Democratic opposition in the Federal Republic rejected the treaty. The state of Bavaria even appealed to the Federal Constitutional Court: the Basic Treaty violates the constitutional objective of re-unification.[15]

The judgement of the Court on July 31, 1973 ruled that the Basic Treaty does not violate the constitution because it does not make a German re-unification impossible. In its judgement, the Court also declared:

Das Grundgesetz – nicht nur eine These der Völkerrechtslehre und der Staatsrechtslehre! – geht davon aus, dass das Deutsche Reich den Zusammenbruch 1945 überdauert hat und weder mit der Kapitulation noch durch Ausübung fremder Staatsgewalt in Deutschland durch die alliierten Okkupationsmächte noch später untergegangen ist ... Das entspricht auch der ständigen Rechtsprechung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts, an der der Senat festhält. Das Deutsche Reich existiert fort ..., besitzt nach wie vor Rechtsfähigkeit, ist allerdings als Gesamtstaat mangels Organisation, insbesondere mangels institutionalisierter Organe selbst nicht handlungsfähig. ... Mit der Errichtung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland wurde nicht ein neuer westdeutscher Staat gegründet, sondern ein Teil Deutschlands neu organisiert. ... Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland ist also nicht "Rechtsnachfolger" des Deutschen Reiches, sondern als Staat identisch mit dem Staat "Deutsches Reich", - in bezug auf seine räumliche Ausdehnung allerdings "teilidentisch", so daß insoweit die Identität keine Ausschließlichkeit beansprucht. Die Bundesrepublik umfaßt also, was ihr Staatsvolk und ihr Staatsgebiet anlangt, nicht das ganze Deutschland, unbeschadet dessen, daß sie ein einheitliches Staatsvolk des Völkerrechtssubjekts "Deutschland" (Deutsches Reich), zu dem die eigene Bevölkerung als untrennbarer Teil gehört, und ein einheitliches Staatsgebiet "Deutschland" (Deutsches Reich), zu dem ihr eigenes Staatsgebiet als ebenfalls nicht abtrennbarer Teil gehört, anerkennt. Sie beschränkt staatsrechtlich ihre Hoheitsgewalt auf den "Geltungsbereich des Grundgesetzes" ..., fühlt sich aber auch verantwortlich für das ganze Deutschland (vgl. Präambel des Grundgesetzes).[16]
"The Basic Law - not only a thesis of international law doctrine and constitutional law doctrine! - assumes that the German Reich survived the collapse in 1945 and did not perish either with the capitulation or through the exercise of foreign state power in Germany by the Allied occupying powers or later ... This also corresponds to the established jurisdiction of the Federal Constitutional Court, to which the Senate adheres. The German Reich continues to exist ..., still possesses legal capacity, but is not itself capable of acting as an entire state for lack of organisation, in particular for lack of institutionalised organs. ... With the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany, not a new West German state was founded, but a part of Germany was reorganised. ... The Federal Republic of Germany is therefore not the "legal successor" of the German Reich, but as a state identical with the state of the "German Reich", although "partially identical" with regard to its spatial extent, so that in this respect the identity does not claim exclusivity. The Federal Republic therefore does not encompass the whole of Germany as far as its constitutive people and its constitutive territory are concerned, irrespective of the fact that it recognises a uniform constitutive people of the subject of international law "Germany" (German Reich), to which its own population belongs as an inseparable part, and a uniform constitutive territory "Germany" (German Reich), to which its own territory belongs as a likewise inseparable part. In terms of constitutional law, it restricts its sovereign power to the "area of application of the Basic Law" ..., but also feels responsible for the whole of Germany (cf. Preamble of the Basic Law)."

The Reichsbürger usually only cite the part that the German Reich survived the collapse. They remain silent on the Court's statement that the Federal Republic is identical to it. Therefore, many members of the Reichsbürger movement typically conclude that the German Reich still "exists" and that the Federal Republic of Germany is not an actual sovereign state but a corporation created by Allied nations after World War II.

Consequently, many Reichsbürger groups claim that they have restored the governmental bodies of the German Reich and now act as the official German government (of the German Reich). In practice, a group of Reichsbürger had a meeting that 'elected' the office holders of the Reich (e.g., Reich chancellor, Reich President). As there are several of such groups, there are several people in Germany who claim to be Reich chancellor etc.

Some Reichsbürger groups maintain a different point of view. According to them, the Weimar constitution was not legitimate and therefore the older imperial constitution of 1871 is still in effect. These people claim to be Kaiser (emperor), leader of Prussia etc.

Still other groups have 'created', in their point of view, German souvereign states without historical precedent, for example a Kingdom of Germany or a regional entity. Other groups do not operate under the label of a 'restored' or new German state but call themselves simply Selbstverwalter (literally, 'someone who governs himself'). They reject the Federal Republic and claim that their house is a souvereign entity.[17]

Antisemitism

According to the German office for the protection of the constitution, not all, but some of the Reichsbürger groups and individuals hold antisemitic views. One example is the organization "Geeinte deutsche Völker und Stämme" that was prohibited in March 2020. It supports the statement that Jews (and Muslims) have no human rights and no right to property.[18]

A handbook of the Amadeu Antonio Stiftung holds that most views of the "Reichsideologie" have an antisemitic core. Usually the Reichsbürger use antisemitic codes, such as "those from the Eastern Coast" or "the Rothschilds". Antisemitic conspiracy theories are attractive for the people in the Reichsbürger movement because they provide a simple explanation of the world by dividing humanity into friends and foes. A group of enemies of the people is made responsible for wars and poverty.[19]

Membership

In April 2018, Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), estimated that Reichsbürger movement membership had grown by 80% over the previous two years, more than estimated earlier, with a total of 18,000 adherents, of whom 950 were categorized as right-wing extremists.[20] This marked an increase from BfV's 2016 estimate of 10,000 adherents[20] and 2017 estimate of 12,600 adherents.[21] The increase in numbers may be attributable to more adherents becoming known to authorities, rather than an actual increase in the number of adherents.[20] The heterogeneity of the movement and its division into many small groups that are often independent of one another makes it difficult to estimate the number of active Reichsbürger.[22]

Reichsbürger adherents are scattered around Germany, but concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country,[7] in the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Bavaria.[12] BfV has estimated that there are 3,500 adherents in Bavaria and around 2,500 in Baden-Württemberg.[12]

Adherents tend to be older,[7] with most aged 40–60 years old[23] and an average age of over 50.[12] The majority are male[12][23] and socially disadvantaged.[12] The Amadeu Antonio Foundation, which monitors far-right activities in Germany, states that Reichsbürger adherents are "often isolated" and "completely cut off from reality".[7] German counterextremism official Heiko Homburg states that the Reichsbürger movement is an amalgamation of right-wing extremists, esoterics, and "sovereign citizens", and that the movement attracts conspiracy theorists, the economically troubled, and "people who are a little mentally disordered".[13]

Activities

Sign at the entrance of the home of a supporter of the Reichsbürger Movement
2014 demonstration in Berlin

As of 2009, there was no reliable count of the number of KRRs then existing, but the KRR FAQ, an online registry maintained by a German jurist, lists some 60 persons or organizations associated with operating competing KRRs. Several (though by no means all) KRRs have links to far-right extremist or neo-Nazi groups.[2] The Bundesverfassungsschutz (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution), Germany's federal domestic security agency, has monitored Reichsbürger since November 2016, and the security services of individual states have been monitoring the activities of the group for longer.[21]

Some KRRs are ready to issue, for a fee, "official" documents such as building permits, and driving licences, which their adherents may attempt to use in everyday life. In one instance, Wolfgang Ebel's KRR issued an "excavation permit" to the Principality of Sealand (a micronation), who then had men dig up a plot of land in the Harz region in search of the Amber Room for two weeks, until the landowner hired a private security service to drive them off.[24] Similarly, in 2002 Ebel's KRR "sold" the Hakeburg [de], a manor in Kleinmachnow south of the Berlin city limits that had been owned by the German Reichspost (and therefore, according to Ebel, by his KRR) to one of the two competing governments of Sealand, thus creating, in their view, an enclave of Sealand in Germany.[25]

KRR adherents have also on occasion refused to pay taxes or fines, arguing that the laws providing for such sanctions have no constitutional basis. In the ensuing judicial proceedings, they refuse to recognize the courts as legitimate.[26] Some also pursue their activities abroad. In 2009, after Swiss authorities refused to recognize the "Reich Driving Licence" of a German KRR adherent, he unsuccessfully appealed the case up to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.

Wolfgang Ebel's original organization, in particular, continues to attempt enforcing its asserted authority through attempts at intimidation.[24] According to Ebel, his "government" has issued more than 1,000 "arrest warrants" against people who have disregarded documents issued by the KRR. These warrants inform the addressee that, once the Reich Government is in power, they will be tried for high treason, for which the penalty is death.[24] Ebel has also admitted owning a "government helicopter" painted in the national colours, but has denied using it for intimidating fly-overs.[24] Several attempts to prosecute Ebel for threats, impersonating a public servant and so forth have failed because, according to German prosecutors, all courts have found him to be legally insane.[24]

Violence by Reichsbürger activists

Flag of the German Empire flown by Adrian Ursache during the 2016 incident

In 2016, Adrian Ursache, a self-proclaimed Reichsbürger and the 1998 winner of the "Mister Germany" beauty contest, violently resisted his eviction from his house in Reuden. When the German police arrived on scene they encountered a group of around 120 people, who were staying on Ursache's and his in-law's property. Ursache deemed his property as part of the self-proclaimed "State of Ur" and flew the flag of the old German Reich above the home. After a first eviction attempt failed, the German police returned with a special response team the day after. When the eviction started, Ursache opened fire and injured two officers. Ursache was shot and rushed to a hospital.[22][27][28] In 2019, Ursache was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 7 years in prison.[28]

Also in 2016, in Georgensgmünd near Nuremberg, a self-described Reichsbürger fired on a special response unit of the Bavarian Police when they attempted to confiscate his 31 firearms. Three police officers were injured. One of them later died from his injuries.[29] The weapons confiscation followed the revocation of the murderer's firearms permit and his repeated refusal to co-operate with local authorities.[30] German authorities expressed concern at the escalation in violence. The event attracted international attention.[31] Bavarian ministers called for increased surveillance of the right-wing extremist movement.[32] On 23 October 2017, Wolfgang P. was sentenced to imprisonment for life.[33]

In Höxter, North Rhine-Westphalia, in 2014, one Reichsbürger group (the "Free State of Prussia") attempted to smuggle weapons into Germany in an attempt to create its own militia.[12] Police raids have found large stockpiles of guns and ammunition hoarded by Reichsbürger adherents.[12] In 2018, the German magazine Focus reported that Reichsbürger adherents had been attempting to build an armed militia in preparation for "Day X"—"an imagined day of reckoning or uprising against the German government".[6]

In April 2022 four members of a Reichsbürger group called United Patriots (Template:Lang-de) were detained for plotting to overthrow the government.[34] They planned to destroy electrical substations and power lines through bomb attacks to cause a nationwide power outage to create 'civil war-like' conditions.[35] Two members are also alleged to have been plotting to kidnap the German health minister Karl Lauterbach.[34] Lauterbach was said to have been aware of the plans.[35]

Patriotic Union

Main article: 2022 Germany coup d'état plot

"Patriotic Union" (Patriotische Union) or "The Council" (Der Rat) is the name of a German right-wing extremist Reichsbürger group. It aims is to establish a authoritarian government[citation needed] in Germany in the tradition of the German Empire of 1871. The gang wanted to provoke chaos and a civil war in Germany and thus take over power in the Federal Republic of Germany. Among other things, the German Bundestag was to be taken by force of arms and taking into account, that there will be killings of people.

Aims

The aim of the group wanted to establish a new government ('Council'). Since November 2021 the network had been planning an armed attack on the Bundestag, as well as public arrests of politicians to cause public unrest. The "Patriotic Union" assumed that parts of the German security authorities would then have shown solidarity with the terrorist group, which would have led to an "overthrow" and the group would have taken power.[36]

Members

Heinrich Reuss, a German aristocrat, is alleged to have led the group and been the planned head of state of the group.[37]

The group, which comprised more than a hundred people, was divided into areas of responsibility. The Federal Public Prosecutor has 52 suspects and arrested 25 of them.

The gang also included several former members of the Special Forces Command (KSK), including a former Staff Sergeant of the Paratrooper Battalion of the Bundeswehr, Rüdiger von P. The GSG9 searched a KSK site of the Graf Zeppelin Barracks near Calw. Rüdiger von P. was supposed to lead the "military arm" of the group. The Federal Public Prosecutor describes von P. alongside Heinrich Reuss as a "ringleader". Von P. is said to have tried to recruit police officers and soldiers.[38]

A lawyer and judge in the state of Berlin, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, was designated as the future "Minister of Justice". Malsack-Winkemann was a member of the German Bundestag from 2017 to 2021 for the AfD and was arrested on December 7, 2022. The group included at least one other AfD politician, an AfD Stadtrat from Olbernhau in the Saxon Ore Mountains.[39]

Other members were doctors and at least one was an entrepreneur.

2022 Investigations and arrests

Main article: 2022 Germany coup d'état plot

German police authorities have been investigating the group since spring 2022. The group is also made up of parts of the radicalized German Querdenker movement, a heterogeneous group of COVID-19 protesters and deniers. Reuss was the starting point for the investigations, which ended up being carried out by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) under the name "Shadow". In addition, several state criminal investigation offices and state authorities for the protection of the constitution were involved.

Over 3,000 police officers, including officers of the GSG 9 movement, searched more than 130 sites (including homes, offices, and storage facilities) throughout Germany, one of the largest anti-extremist raids in the nation's history.[40] Searches of areas in Austria and Italy took place simultaneously.[40] During the raids, coordinated by the Federal Police, 25 people were arrested out of a total of 52 suspected far-right coup plotters associated with the Reichsbürger movement.[40] Those implicated in the suspected plot included active military personnel and policemen. Prosecutors stated that those arrested plotted an armed overthrow of the German government and the democratic constitution.[40][41] The "Patriotic Union" group had stockpiled Iridium satellite telephones, expensive devices which could operate even if the electricity network was down.[42] The General Federal Prosecutor Office said: "The arrested suspects belong to a terrorist organization which was founded by the end of November 2021 at the latest and which has set itself the goal of overthrowing the existing state order in Germany and replacing it with its own form of state, the outlines of which have already been worked out."[40]

Those arrested included aristocrat Heinrich Reuss (who styles himself "Heinrich XIII, Prince Reuss of Greiz") a 71-year-old descendant of the House of Reuß, who owns an estate in Thuringia where the group met, several of his followers, and a 69-year-old former Bundeswehr parachutist commander identified as Rüdiger von P.[40][43] Also arrested was Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former Alternative for Germany (AfD) member of the Bundestag and a current judge.[40][44][45]

Infiltration of the police by Reichsbürger activists

There were renewed calls for more serious measures against the movement in 2016, including revocation of firearms permits and seizure of their weapons, following disciplinary action against police officers allegedly connected to the movement.[46][47] On 27 October 2016, a Bavarian police officer was suspended from his duties because of his connections to one of the Reichsbürger movements. There have been allegations of similar kind against other police officers in different states of Germany as well.[48][49]

List of Reichsbürger groups

The following is a non-exhaustive list of KRRs that have received media coverage.[50]

  • Fürstentum Germania, formerly based at Krampfer Palace, established in 2009, claims 300 adherents.[51]
  • Interim Partei – Das Reicht[26]
  • Zentralrat Souveräner Bürger, based in an inn in Schwanstetten.[52]
  • Ur, based in Elsteraue. Its leader Adrian Ursache was injured in a 2016 shootout with police.[53]
  • NeuDeutschland, based in Wittenberg. Founded in 2012, it claims 3,500 members. Lead by self-proclaimed 'King of Germany' Peter Fitzek.[54]
  • United Patriots, right-wing terrorist gang uncovered in 2022.[citation needed]

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ Rulf, Kirsten (9 August 2018). "Meet the 'Reichsbürger': Germany's Far-right anti-Semitic Cult That Is Armed to the Teeth". Haaretz. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b Oppong, Martin (15 May 2008). "'Kommissarische Reichsregierungen': Gefährliche Irre". Die Tageszeitung (in German). Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  3. ^ a b Hüllen, Michael; Homburg, Heiko (2017). "'Reichsbürger' zwischen zielgerichtetem Rechtsextremismus, Gewalt und Staatsverdrossenheit" (PDF). In Wilking, Dirk (ed.). Reichsbürger. Ein Handbuch (3rd ed.). Potsdam: Demos: Brandenburgisches Institut für Gemeinwesenberatung. p. 15-53. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Verfassungsschutzbericht 2021". bmi.bund.de. Retrieved 8 December 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "www.der-reichskanzler.de". Archived from the original on 2 July 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  6. ^ a b Schumacher, Elizabeth (12 January 2018). "Report: Far-right Reichsbürger movement is growing, building army". Deutsche Welle.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Schuetze, Christopher F. (19 March 2020). "Germany Shuts Down Far-Right Clubs That Deny the Modern State". New York Times.
  8. ^ a b c "German police raid neo-Nazi Reichsbürger movement nationwide". BBC News. 19 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Hundreds of Germans are living as if the Reich never ended". The Economist. 10 November 2016.
  10. ^ Wright, Timothy (22 June 2019). "Germany's New Mini-Reichs". Los Angeles Review of Books.
  11. ^ ""Reichsbürger" und "Selbstverwalter" - eine zunehmende Gefahr?" ['Reichsbürger' and 'Selbstverwalter' - an Increasing Danger?]. German Federal Ministry of the Interior (in German). 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i Dick, Wolfgang (19 October 2016). "What is behind the right-wing 'Reichsbürger' movement?". Deutsche Welle.
  13. ^ a b c Anthony Faiola & Stephanie Kirchner (20 March 2017). "In Germany, right-wing violence flourishing amid surge in online hate". Washington Post.
  14. ^ Barrows, Samuel (26 March 2021), "Sovereigns, Freemen, and Desperate Souls: Towards a Rigorous Understanding of Pseudolitigation Tactics in United States Courts", Boston Law review, retrieved 23 November 2022
  15. ^ Grau, Andreas. "Geschichte der CDU". Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  16. ^ BVerfGE 36, 1 - Grundlagenvertrag. Last retrieved 2022-12-08.
  17. ^ German Federal Ministry of the Interior: Topthema Reichsbürger, 2022, last seen December 7, 2022.
  18. ^ "Verfassungsschutzbericht 2021". bmi.bund.de. Retrieved 7 December 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ ""Reichsbürger" und Souveränisten. Basiswissen und Handlungsstrategien" (PDF). amadeu-antonio-stiftung.de. 2018. pp. 5, 9. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  20. ^ a b c "Germany's far-right Reichsbürger movement larger than earlier estimated". Deutsche Welle. 28 April 2018.
  21. ^ a b "Verfassungsschutz zählt 12.600 Reichsbürger in Deutschland" [Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution estimates 12.600 Reichsbürger in Germany]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  22. ^ a b Schaaf, Julia (12 September 2016). "'Reichsbürger'-Szene: Schießerei im Staat Ur". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  23. ^ a b Connolly, Kate (19 March 2020). "German police arrest members of far-right group after state ban". The Guardian.
  24. ^ a b c d e Gessler, Philip (15 August 2000). "Die Reichsminister drohen mit dem Tod". Die Tageszeitung (in German). Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  25. ^ "Dokumentation der Eigentumsverhältnisse für unser Staatsgebiet Hakeburg in Kleinmachnow bei Berlin" (PDF). November 2002. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  26. ^ a b "BRD-Leugner: Was ist die Interim Partei?". Badische Zeitung (in German). 3 September 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  27. ^ "Chronologie: Mordprozess gegen 'Reichsbürger' Adrian Ursache". mdr.de (in German). Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  28. ^ a b Crossand, David (19 April 2019). "'Mr Germany' jailed for shooting police officer". Times of London.
  29. ^ "Wolfgang P. aus Georgensgmünd: Lebenslange Haft wegen Polizistenmordes für Reichsbürger". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  30. ^ "Germany shooting: Policeman dies in raid on far-right gunman". BBC News. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  31. ^ Oltermann, Philip (20 October 2016). "Germany fears radicalisation of Reichsbürger movement after police attacks". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  32. ^ Dearden, Lizzie (21 October 2016). "Anti-government 'Reichsbürger' attacks German police and calls them Nazis after extremist shoots officer dead". The Independent. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  33. ^ "Lebenslange Haft wegen Polizistenmordes für Reichsbürger". Faz.net. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  34. ^ a b "Germany kidnap plot: Gang planned to overthrow democracy". BBC News. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  35. ^ a b "German police arrest far-right extremists over plans to 'topple democracy' | DW | 14.04.2022". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Festnahmen bei Reichsbürger-Razzia - Anführer der Gruppe aus Frankfurt". Hessenschau. 7 December 2022.
  37. ^ Bennhold, Katrin; Solomon, Erika (7 December 2022). "Germany Arrests 25 Suspected of Planning to Overthrow Government". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  38. ^ https://taz.de/!5901832/
  39. ^ https://www.saechsische.de/polizei/razzia-bei-reichsbuergern- ex-afd-city councilor-from-the-erzgebirge-arrested-saxony-5792019-plus.html |
  40. ^ a b c d e f g David Crossland, German police arrest 25 far-right coup plotters in dawn raids, The Times (7 December 2022).
  41. ^ Reuters (7 December 2022). "German police arrest 25 suspects in plot to overthrow state". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 7 December 2022. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  42. ^ Connolly, Kate (7 December 2022). "Reichsbürger: the German conspiracy theorists at heart of alleged coup plot". The Guardian.
  43. ^ "Großrazzia: Gruppe soll Staatsumsturz geplant haben - Reussen-Prinz festgenommen". MDR. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  44. ^ tagesschau.de. "Bundesweite Razzia wegen geplanten Staatsstreichs". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  45. ^ Reuters (7 December 2022). "German police arrest 25 suspects in plot to overthrow state". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 7 December 2022. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  46. ^ Saha, Marc (31 October 2016). "A broken oath: Reichsbürger in the police force". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  47. ^ "State premier: Three suspected Reichsbürger police in Saxony". Deutsche Welle. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  48. ^ Clauß, Anna; Menke, Birger; Neumann, Conny; Ziegler, Jean-Pierre (21 October 2016). "Staatsleugner als Staatsdiener". Spiegel Online. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  49. ^ "Polizei suspendiert mutmaßlichen 'Reichsbürger'". Spiegel Online. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  50. ^ See, generally, the media section of KRR FAQ.
  51. ^ Fröhlich, Alexander (15 March 2009). "Die Hippies von Germania". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  52. ^ "'Staatenlose' lösen Unbehagen aus". Schwabacher Tagblatt (in German). 28 October 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  53. ^ Turner, Zeke (25 August 2016). "Extremist Group Leader Injured in Shootout With German Police". The Wall Street Journal.
  54. ^ "Judge sends 'King of Germany' to jail". The Local. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  • Schmidt, Frank (2007). "KRR FAQ" (in German). Retrieved 25 March 2009, a KRR database.
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