Process in Munich - Astrologer in "Reichsbürger" trial: no putsch planned
In the Munich "Reichsbürger" Process against alleged members of the group around Prince Reuß Heinrich XIII, the accused astrologer Hildegard L. defends herself against central accusations: She denies in particular that she co-founded a terrorist association and deliberately facilitated contacts for the German Bundestag's sabotage. Furthermore, she retracts in a statement read out by one of her lawyers before the Munich Oberlandesgericht that the group planned a violent coup in Germany: "We had not planned a putsch."
L. and seven other alleged members of the Reuß group have been in Munich court since June. This is the group that became known through a large-scale anti-terror raid at the end of 2022. In Frankfurt, Reuß and the alleged ringleaders are on trial, while in Stuttgart, alleged members of the "military wing" are on trial. The 26 accused, according to the indictment, planned to overthrow the federal government and knowingly accepted casualties. L. is said to have been one of the founders and later recruited new members, such as the former AfD Bundestag member Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, whose astrological advisor she was.
"Activity" in the Bundestag?
L. argues in her statement that they had not planned a coup – instead, they had assumed that an "Alliance" of several nations would act against the government and establish "true democracy." She admits, however, that she had heard that the intervention of the "Alliance" was followed by an "activity" of an accused ex-military man in the Bundestag in Frankfurt. The Federal Prosecutor's Office considers the group members' statements - that they had not wanted to use violence but only the "Alliance" - to be refuted by their investigations.
In particular, L. denies that she co-founded the association at the end of July 2021. The background of the meeting was the rejection of the state's anti-Corona policy and the fear of compulsory vaccination of children. "We thought we were in trouble because of the Corona measures." She had not made any agreements with anyone, had not founded anything, and therefore could not have recruited anyone for any plans. And she had not deliberately facilitated contact between Malsack-Winkemann and anyone to enable the Bundestag's sabotage.
A shooting training as a "boys' thing"?
However, L. admits in her statement that she knew about a later shooting training – but she considered it a "boys' thing" that she could not have influenced. And she therefore knew about plans for home defense companies that were supposed to replace the police, as well as about planned "cleanings." "And I gave it unreflectively. I wish I had never said such things."
In L.'s explanation, it is mentioned repeatedly that she took representations and conspiracy theories regarding bare money on Telegram and other channels at that time and held them as the only truth. "I deeply regret today, with considerable distance, that I uncritically accepted and spread these things," her lawyer stated. She perceived the Corona measures as an attack on freedom and health. "That's how it was hyped up." However, L. does not deny participating in several sessions of the "Council" of the association (similar to a cabinet of a legitimate government), but not as a "full member."
Prime Minister of the Federal Prosecutor GeneralPrime Minister of the Higher Regional Court
- The Federal Prosecutor's Office in Germany is currently investigating allegations of extremism within the Reuß group, which was raided due to terrorism concerns in Frankfurt towards the end of 2022.
- The Munich Oberlandesgericht is currently presiding over the trial of Hildegard L. and seven other alleged members of the Reuß group, accused of planning a violent coup against the federal government.
- The trial in Stuttgart is focusing on the alleged "military wing" of the Reuß group, which is also facing charges of terrorism and criminality.
- Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuß is not currently on trial, but his group has been heavily associated with the allegations of terrorism and extremism.
- The AfD party has distanced itself from the Reuß group, despite allegations that their former Bundestag member, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, had been recruited by Hildegard L.
- The Coronavirus pandemic has been cited as a major trigger for the dissatisfaction and radicalization within the Reuß group, leading to their alleged plans for a violent coup against the German government.
- The process against the alleged members of the Reuß group has focused on the role of Hildegard L. in co-founding the association, facilitating contacts for the Bundestag's sabotage, and recruiting new members.
- The federal government in Germany has vowed to take a firm stance against terrorism and extremism, including the actions of the Reuß group, and is actively working to dismantle any organizations that promote hate and violence.
