The German far-right movement, Reichsbürger, allegedly involved in a plot to upend the federal administration, is once again in the spotlight. This is the third consecutive case where members of the group face trial across Germany. Known for their conspiracy theories and denial of Germany’s post-WWII federal republic’s validity, Reichsbürger’s discouraged members include some familiar personalities like a famous cook, a GP, and an astrologer. These individuals are under prosecution for allegedly masterminding the plot and anticipated to form an advisory council in case the scheme to infiltrate parliament and oust the government succeeded.
The group is brought to trial for participating in a terrorist organisation and devising a high treason act, including plans to abduct Chancellor Olaf Scholz and televise him to allure more supporters. Despite the charges, the defendants deny any wrongdoing.
This trial in Munich comes during a time of high anxiety about the escalating influence of the far-right in Germany, heightened by the emergence of arrests linked to Russian and Chinese spy allegations and recent advances in the European elections.
In the heart of it all is Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuss zu Köstritz, a mock-aristocrat and property broker whom the group intended to pronounce as its substitute leader. He faces trial with other supposed co-conspirators in Frankfurt.
Defence attorneys have countered the allegations, claiming the defendants were anti-Covid restriction conspiracy theorists rather than terrorists. Lawyers defending Prince Reuss have refuted claims that he is prone to violence or that he had intentions to harm people.
The purported scheme was exposed publicly following anti-terror raids across eleven German states and overseas in December 2022, following a covert police investigation. The Munich-based trial is ongoing in a high-security court, similar to two others in Stuttgart and Frankfurt am Main, and is likely to last until January or potentially even longer, according to prosecutors.
Laurent Lafleur, a court representative, stated that they are managing approximately 900 cases of information that grows daily, emphasising that the investigation continues concurrently with the ongoing trials. Each accused will have the support of a pair of defence advocates.
Considering the trial for the group is taking place in three distinct sites, there is a bustling exchange of data taking place among the judges, prosecutors and attorneys of all related trials, involving no less than 26 suspects in total. Additionally, the process of transporting defendants to different trials to testify further complicates the logistical efforts.
“We are putting in an incredible amount of planning and coordination,” Lafleur remarked. He assured that the court is ready for any possible disruptions, particularly from the Reichsbürger or Querdenker, the latter being infamous for denying the existence of COVID-19.
One of those standing trial in Munich includes Hildegard Leiding, a 60-year-old astrologer and member of the rightwing AfD party. Allegedly, she was predestined to be the group’s “communications minister”. Leiding and an accomplice, a welder from Bavaria, reputedly selected suitable candidates for the future administration based on “mystical principles”. Their nominee for health minister was a practicing GP from their community who had reportedly become radicalised during the pandemic and adapted a technique of fortune-telling via egg readings, known as oomancy.
After her unexpected arrest, the GP’s practice partner in Lower Saxony made a public statement expressing his shock and disapproval of her alleged involvement with a terrorist group, emphasising the shock and distancing of the entire team from such extremist ideations.
Germany is thought to be home to approximately 23,000 Reichsbürger members, 10% of them assumed to be prone to violence and 1,000 suspected to be linked to rightwing extremism. – Guardian.