Radicalism in Thought or Action - Additional hearing for "Reichsbürger" conspiracy plot
A criminal case has started in Hamburg, centered around a man who has confessed to being involved in a "Reichsbürger" group. His lawyer read out his statement in front of the State Protection Senate at the Higher Regional Court of Hanseatic.
The 66-year-old man has not confirmed the assessment of the "Reichsbürger" group given by the Hamburg prosecution. The members of the association "United Patriots" have been on trial in Koblenz for more than a year.
The indictment alleges that this Schleswig-Holsteiner from Bad Bramstedt area supported a terrorist organization and planned a high treason operation. The group, also referred to as "Kaiserreichsgruppe," aimed to create an authoritarian government system in Germany patterned after the Constitution of the German Empire from 1871.
Plans for a sailing trip to Kaliningrad
The accused is said to have expressed his willingness to travel through Russian waters with others on a sailboat near Kaliningrad. After their sailboat was intercepted by Russian Navy, the sailors aimed to meet with the Russian President. The group hoped for support from Vladimir Putin.
Plans for a prolonged and nationwide power outage in Germany
The Hamburg prosecution accuses the association of intending to spark a widespread and long-term blackout in Germany. The Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) was targeted to be kidnapped during a live broadcast of a talk show. The insurgents aimed to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. A constituent assembly would determine a new leadership. A member of the Koblenz group and the accused agreed that the government should be a parliamentary monarchy, according to the indictment.
Weapons procurement
The accused was tasked with acquiring weapons. In his camper van, he had stored a pistol and over 100 rounds of ammunition in a safe. When he was arrested on November 29, 2023, ammunition for rifles was found in a tool chest in the basement of his home.
The accused wanted to inform the Constitutional Protection Authority
The plan for a major power outage was too extreme for him, he claimed. He had indeed intended to acquire weapons, but not for the coup. He had contacted the Constitutional Protection Authority to warn them. According to a court spokesperson, the accused called the authority twice but never reached an employee. His statements were "too vague" for the authority.
Is "Kaiserreichsgruppe" a terrorist organization?
It's crucial whether the "Kaiserreichsgruppe" is classified as a terrorist organization by the court in this trial. Only then can the Hamburg defendant be convicted of supporting such an organization. The State Protection Senate will likely consider the possible verdict of the Koblenz court, but the Hamburg court must make its own decision.
Currently, more proceedings against "Reichsbürger" are underway. Since last Tuesday, a trial is taking place at the Frankfurt Upper Regional Court for the group led by Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß. The court proceedings for the Reuß group's military wing started at the end of April in Stuttgart. Other suspected members of the Reuß group are expected to appear before the Munich court from June 18th.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
- Despite the ongoing trial of the Koblenz group, the Hamburg prosecution accused another "Reichsbürger" of supporting a terrorist organization, specifically the "Kaiserreichsgruppe."
- As part of their overthrow plan, the accused had expressed interest in sailing to Kaliningrad and meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin for support.
- The group's ultimate goal was to create an authoritarian government system in Germany, modeled after the Constitution of the German Empire from 1871, and overthrow the current government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
- In support of this plan, the accused was tasked with procuring weapons, including a pistol and over 100 rounds of ammunition stored in his camper van.
- During court proceedings, the accused claimed he had contacted the Constitutional Protection Authority to warn them about the plot, but his calls were deemed "too vague" to take action.
- The trial in Hamburg hinges on whether the "Kaiserreichsgruppe" is classified as a terrorist organization by the court, as this classification is necessary for a conviction of supporting such an organization.
- The German government is currently dealing with a surge of procedural actions against "Reichsbürger" groups, with trials in Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich all underway or scheduled soon.
Source: www.stern.de
