"Reichsbürger" trial - Ex-AfD member of parliament describes career in court
In the continuation of the Frankfurt Terror Trial regarding the alleged "Reichsbürger" group around Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß, former Bundestag member Birgit Malsack-Winkemann testified about her personal relationships. The 59-year-old defendant described her background as a judge at the Berlin Regional Court, her AfD career, and her duties in the Bundestag.
In her judicial roles, she acted according to the principle of impartiality. In 2013, she stated that she joined the AfD. "Politics does not belong in the judiciary for me," Malsack-Winkemann said. Her colleagues were unaware of her political activities.
Before her entry into the German Bundestag in 2017, she was a judge at the Berlin Regional Court. From 2017 to 2021, Malsack-Winkemann was an AfD member in the Bundestag, serving as part of the Budget Committee. Afterward, she returned to the judiciary but was temporarily suspended. She stated before the Higher Regional Court that the content of her Bundestag speeches should be reviewed.
Criticism of the Prosecution
Malsack-Winkemann expressed indignation over the prosecution. "Now we're being accused here by the prosecution of being the successors of the RAF – on the other political side, but still," she said. As a witness to the Red Army Faction (RAF), this shocked her. What they were being accused of was not comparable to the actions of the RAF.
So far, the interrogations have not focused on the charges. The accused are initially expected to discuss their personal relationships, biographies, and financial and family situations.
Malsack-Winkemann, born in Darmstadt, is accused of facilitating access to the German Bundestag for other defendants to incite a violent overthrow. Even after her departure from the Bundestag in 2021, she is alleged to have supplied the organization with information from the parliamentary business until at least September 2022, according to the Federal Prosecutor's Office. The 59-year-old is said to have joined the group "Patriotic Union" around Prince Reuß in 2021.
In the so-called Council of the Group, she was responsible for the Justice portfolio. Additionally, she actively sought to recruit new members and was reportedly involved in conceptual preparations for the establishment of new state justice structures on behalf of Reuß.
Prosecution: Knowingly Endangering Lives
Nine suspects are charged in Frankfurt with being members of a terrorist organization or supporting it. It is alleged that a violent overthrow was planned. The prosecution claims that the suspects knowingly put lives at risk. Until the verdict, the accused enjoy the presumption of innocence. Two additional proceedings in Munich and Stuttgart require 26 alleged co-conspirators to account for their actions in this complex.
- The terror trial in Frankfurt revolves around the alleged "Reichsbürger" group linked to Henry XIII. Prince Reuß, with various processes focusing on extremism and terrorism.
- During the trial, former Bundestag member Birgit Malsack-Winkemann discussed her involvement with the AfD and her career as a judge, emphasizing the importance of justice and impartiality in processes.
- Malsack-Winkemann's AfD colleagues were unaware of her involvement in terrorism-related crimes, as she remained discreet about her activities.
- The trial in Frankfurt am Main follows accusations against Malsack-Winkemann for facilitating access to the German Bundestag, helping to instigate a violent revolution in Hesse.
- The Red Army Faction (RAF) was a notorious terrorist organization active in Germany in the 1970s and 80s, and the comparison of Malsack-Winkemann's alleged actions to theirs was a surprise for her.
- Despite leaving the Bundestag in 2021, Malsack-Winkemann is still under investigation for allegedly supplying the group with parliamentary information until September 2022.
- The Frankfurt trial joins two other proceedings in Munich and Stuttgart against 26 alleged co-conspirators, all charged with supporting or being members of a terrorist organization, endangering lives in the pursuit of their goals.
