The first of three trials related to the far-right conspiracy movement's planning of a coup begins today in Germany. Members of the movement reject post-war Germany, their goal was to negotiate a new treaty with the allies of World War II, in particular with Russia.
Suspected members of the so-called "Reichsbürger" (Reich Citizens) movement were allegedly planning to overthrow the German government.
A possible military branch of the group is due to appear in court in Stuttgart on April 29. The nine defendants are represented by 22 lawyers. The case involves more than 300 witnesses, including 270 police officers.
Ten leaders of the movement will be tried on May 21 in Frankfurt. Eight more suspected members of the organization will appear in court in Munich from June 18.
Uncovering the conspiracy
Police uncovered the plot during a series of nationwide raids on December 7, 2022.
About 25 people were arrested and are in custody awaiting future trials.
More than 380 firearms and about 150 thousand ammunition were confiscated from them.
The leader of the group is Henry XIII Prince Royce, a 72-year-old real estate agent from Frankfurt, a descendant of an aristocratic family. Supporters allegedly appointed him to the role of interim head of the German state.
The group is accused of planning to storm the German parliament and detain prominent politicians, notably Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Foreign Minister Annalena Bärbock and conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz.
Among the ringleaders is also Birgit Malsack-Winkmann, a judge and former representative of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the federal parliament. After the coup, she is supposed to become Minister of Justice.
Views of "Reich Citizens"
The conspirators disagree with the existence of post-war Germany, arguing that it was created and controlled by the Allied powers that won World War II.
Prince Royce and his fans believe that Germany is led by a "deep state" that plans to kill hundreds of children and teenagers. For example, the group believed that the floods in Germany's Ahr Valley in 2021 were an attempt to cover up murders that had already been committed by flooding old government bunkers. Royce's fans talked about 600 dead children.
Federal prosecutors allege the group was planning a violent coup and aimed to negotiate a new treaty with World War II allies, including Russia. Members of the group allegedly trained in the use of firearms and conducted reconnaissance missions in the Bundestag.
Scope of distribution
German intelligence services estimate that the Reichsbürger movement has about 20,000 people in Germany, of whom 2,300 are described as "ready to use violence." Common to them are xenophobic and anti-Semitic beliefs. They reject democracy and have pro-monarchy views.
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