Previous AfD parliamentarian minimized involvement in Prins Reuß circle
In the trial against Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former AfD member of parliament, has refuted allegations of involvement in schemes to disrupt the German Bundestag. During her testimony at the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court, she asserted that her involvement was merely speculation and that notes seized during raids were merely brainstorming sessions without mention of a new government. She vehemently denied having any role in drafting a new constitution or scouting the parliament building for potential attacks.
The prosecution, however, maintains that Malsack-Winkemann, now 60, aided in infiltrating other defendants into the Bundestag and scouted the premises. She was allegedly a member of the "Council of the Union," a group with plans to stage an armed takeover of the Bundestag, arrest MPs, and overthrow the system.
"Alliance was supposed to take action"
Malsack-Winkemann denies having any concrete plans for an armed takeover or scouting the parliament premises. "I've said it a million times, and I'll say it again: Alliance was supposed to take action," she stated. In the group's ideology, there existed a fictional global military alliance called "Alliance," which they believed would bring about a system change. She recounted her disagreements with Rüdiger von Pescatore, the alleged head of the group's military arm, and how he tried to exclude her from the group. Ultimately, a split from the military arm occurred.
Nine defendants stand trial in Frankfurt, accused of being members or supporters of a terrorist organization. A total of 26 alleged conspirators are facing charges in parallel trials in Munich and Stuttgart. All defendants are assumed innocent until the verdict, and the trial will continue on Tuesday, September 3.
Despite her denials, Malsack-Winkemann was still accused of being a part of the "Council of the Union," a group that sought to infiltrate the Bundestag. As a member, she was expected to contribute ideas and strategies from the "Citizens of the Reich," the ideological mainstay of their group.
Malsack-Winkemann further clarified that her role was largely limited to providing ideas and discussions, emphasizing that she never had any explicit plans to involve "Citizens of the Reich" in any actions against the Bundestag.
