Malevolent acts intended to create fear or terror among civilians - Police raid uncovers suspected "Reichsbürger" group associated with Prince Reuß.
In a fresh crackdown, officials have raided several properties linked to followers of the radical "Reichsbürger" ideologue, Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß. The Federal Prosecutor's Office launched this operation early Tuesday, searching seven locations and three plots in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. A spokeswoman from the authorities in Karlsruhe confirmed the details, adding that the focus was on two individuals from Baden-Württemberg who are accused of supporting a domestic terrorist organization.
Investigators have been recorded discussing undiscovered weapons caches in phone calls, according to earlier reports in the "Spiegel" magazine. The two identified suspects, a 73-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman, are believed to have provided living spaces and property for the "Reichsbürger" group's activities around the turn of the year 2021/2022. The woman is also alleged to have handed over a car to one of the group's accused members, Rudiger v.P., in autumn 2021.
The "Reichsbürger" movement in Germany contends that the German Reich (1871-1945) is still in existence and actively defies the federal republic and its laws. So far, authorities have carried out numerous arrests and three public trials, revealing plans to overthrow the political system in the country. The group was willing to accept casualties, and had developed a framework for their own state. Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß was expected to serve as the head of state in this setup. Other notable individuals were believed to have filled roles such as justice for a former Berlin judge and former AfD Bundestag member, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, and a former KSK officer from the Bundeswehr.
On Tuesday, the first and second sessions of the court hearings are taking place in Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart, respectively. In Frankfurt, an employee of the Federal Criminal Police Office discussed Prince Reuß's personal connections, including his business relationships, internet activities, clubs, number of cars, finances, bank accounts, and residences. Defense lawyers attempted to intervene repeatedly during the questioning.
In Stuttgart, the alleged militant strand of the group is being accused of using force to enact their planned power takeover. The group had already begun the process by putting together a nationwide network of 286 militarily organized associations, known as "Homeland Protection Companies." The "Homeland Protection Company No. 221" was said to be responsible for the regions of Freudenstadt and Tübingen.
The search and seizure operations were assisted by special units from the federal and regional governments in Baden-Württemberg. In addition to officers from the Federal Criminal Police Office, Federal Police, and state police of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein, experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service of the state and the Technical Relief Organization in Saxony were also involved. Heavy machinery was used in the operations.
The General Prosecutor's Office in Dresden also carried out two raids against the "Reichsbürger" movement in the Erzgebirgskreis. The sites were targeted in Seiffen and Pockau-Lengefeld, though specifics regarding the background of these actions were not disclosed immediately.
