Lawyers contest Prince Reuß' affiliation with "Reich citizens."

Legal representatives refute Prince Reuß' involvement with "Reich citizens" group.

In the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court, Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß is on trial for his alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow Germany. The federal prosecutor believes that Reuß, along with others, planned an armed coup to take place in August 2021. Prince Reuß is accused of leading the group which includes ex-military personnel and a former AfD member of the Bundestag.

Reuß' defense lawyer, Roman von Alvensleben, denies these accusations, stating that his client is not a leader or a ringleader. The trial has been hindered by various motions by the defense, causing it to start with a delay. The indictment against the defendants includes charges of membership in a terrorist organization and planning a highly treasonous enterprise.

The group in question intended to infiltrate the Reichstag building in Berlin to arrest Bundestag members and overthrow the system. They had around 500,000 euros and a massive arsenal of weapons available for their plans. The "Reichsbürger" in Germany claim that the German Reich (1871-1945) still exists and disregard the Federal Republic of Germany and its laws.

Prince Reuß is believed to have played a leading role in creating a separate state order, with him acting as the head of state. The judge and former AfD member, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, was responsible for justice in their plan. The group was united by their rejection of state institutions and the free democratic basic order, following a collection of conspiracy myths.

The court had expected ten defendants, but due to the death of Norbert G., there will now be only nine on trial in Frankfurt. The other alleged "Reichsbürger" will go through their trial in Munich from June 18. If found guilty, the defendants face up to ten years in prison for each charge, with a maximum of 15 years if convicted of multiple offenses.

This trial is one of three against the "Reich Citizens" group, with another ongoing in Stuttgart and another to start in Munich. The group was uncovered during a large-scale anti-terror operation in December 2022. Before the trial began in Frankfurt, Alvensleben expressed concerns about the tripartite nature of the proceedings, questioning their legality. The trial is being conducted in extreme security, with a specially-erected metal hall housing the court and numerous people involved.

--- "They are said to have planned the violent overthrow of Germany": The prosecution alleges that the defendants intended to conduct a violent coup in Germany.

--- "He is not a leader, not a ringleader, and he is also not a member of a terrorist organization": This statement is made by Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß' defense lawyer, disputing the allegations against his client. They claim he is not a leader or a ringleader or a member of a terrorist organization.

--- "On the sidelines of the trial, the defense lawyers for Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß": These lawyers are working for Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß and they are sharing what they think of the allegations and motions.

--- "The second nationwide terror trial against the 'Reich Citizens' group around Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß had begun there": This trial is the second of three planned against the "Reich Citizens" group.

--- " They do not recognize the Federal Republic of Germany and its laws": The "Reichsbürger" in Germany claim that the German Reich (1871-1945) still exists and they do not acknowledge the rules of the Federal Republic of Germany.

--- "Rüdiger von Pescatore": This is the name of the other alleged ringleader of the group, working alongside Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß.

--- "The trial has been hindered by various motions by the defense, causing it to start with a delay": The trial has been affected by multiple motions from the defense lawyers, leading to delays in its start.

--- "They followed a conglomerate of conspiracy myths": The group of defendants is united by their belief in various conspiracy theories.

--- "If found guilty, the defendants face up to ten years in prison for each charge, with a maximum of 15 years if convicted of multiple offenses": Potential penalties for the defendants if they are found guilty.

--- "Before the trial began in Frankfurt, Alvensleben expressed concerns about the tripartite nature of the proceedings": Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß' defense lawyer is uncomfortable with the idea of trying the case in multiple locations with the same charge.

--- "The group was uncovered during a large-scale anti-terror operation in December 2022": This is how the group was discovered, through an extensive anti-terror operation.

--- "Strictest security precautions are in place": The trial is being conducted with the highest level of security to protect everyone involved.

--- "Around 260 witnesses are to be called": The total expected number of witnesses to testify at the trial.

--- " Documents relating to the trial are filed in 801 standing files": There are extensive documents relevant to the trial, filed in multiple locations.

--- "The first defendants were brought to the court hall at around 7.30 a.m. on Tuesday morning under heavy security": This is when the first defendants arrived, protected by a high level of security.

The Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, began the trial by stating, "It's great to see the supposed leaders of the largest 'Reich citizen' terrorist group face their day in court. This trial at three regional courts at once has an added significance." She made it clear that these individuals are not harmless eccentrics, but rather, dangerous terror suspects. "Our security agencies will maintain a firm stance until we've completely uncovered and dismantled the militarized 'Reichsbürger' networks. No one in this extremist group should feel secure."