"Reichsbürger" want to meet in Swabia
Reichsbürger" want to meet in Swabia on Friday for a "Future Congress". The event is planned to take place in a restaurant in Wemding (Donau-Ries district) near the border with Baden-Württemberg, a police spokesperson confirmed. "The police are of course keeping a close eye on the current situation and the development of this event." If the situation requires it, they will also be present on site. The "Augsburger Allgemeine" first reported on the planned meeting.
"Reichsbürger" are people who do not recognize the Federal Republic of Germany and its democratic structures. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution estimated that there were around 23,000 people in the "Reichsbürger" and "Selbstverwalter" scene across Germany in 2022, 2,000 more than in the previous year.
Announcement videos for the event circulated on the internet, which included the topic "Ways into the German Reich". One speaker announced as a speaker spoke of Germany still being occupied by Americans and Poles.
"There are currently no concrete indications that the security situation could be impaired by the event," said a police spokesperson. "The police are not aware of any incidents at similar events in the past where the regional security situation was affected by such meetings."
The police in Swabia have expressed vigilance towards the "Reichsbürger" gathering, given their historical leaning towards extremism. Referring to the event's topic, some speakers' past rhetoric about Germany being occupied by Americans and Poles has raised concerns among observers.
Source: www.dpa.com
