Violent acts of extreme fear or threats intended to influence government or society. - The mayor expresses dissatisfaction with the lack of communication following a police raid.
The mayor of Althengstett, located in Calw district, expressed discontent over the lack of information provided by the Federal Prosecutor's Office about the "Reichsbürger" raid in his community. Mayor Rudiger Klahm (independent) brought this issue to attention through a conversation with the German Press Agency. Unlike other law enforcement operations, there was no prior communication or notification for the local authorities.
The absence of information created chaos and concern in the town, with theories and rumors spreading through social media about potential shootings, fatalities, and injuries. It was an hour or more before the population was finally able to be calmed down due to the lack of official details.
Within 100 meters of the crime scene was a kindergarten, prompting concerns about the safety of the children. Although no explicit mention of danger was made, authorities still had to consider whether or not the children could play in the garden, or if they should be sent home for their security.
The raids conducted by the Federal Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday were in relation to the ongoing investigation into Schwarze Join, a group connected to the "Reichsbürger" ideology championed by Heinrich XIII. Prinz Reuß. Although no evidence had been previously discovered linking the community of Althengstett to the extremist organization, the unexpected nature of the operation took everyone by surprise. While Klahm admitted that the risk of such an operation couldn't be entirely eliminated, he felt that it was unusual for this to happen in his town without any prior warning.
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- The raid in Althengstett, Germany, sparked concerns in Schleswig-Holstein, where similar "Reichsbürger" groups have been active, due to the lack of communication from the Federal Prosecutor's Office.
- The County of Calw, where Althengstett is located, issued a statement expressing its support for Mayor Klahm's call for transparency and improved communication in future operations.
- The Office of the Attorney General in Baden-Württemberg has been under scrutiny for its handling of the raid, with critics arguing that the lack of communication could have potentially put children in danger during the raid.
- Saxony, another German state with a substantial "Reichsbürger" presence, is closely monitoring the situation in Althengstett and is considering implementing new policies to improve communication with local authorities during anti-terrorism raids.
- The German Press Agency reported that the "Reichsbürger" ideology, which advocates for a separated German state, has been linked to several acts of terrorism and extremism across Europe.
- Following the raid, there have been calls for increased communication between law enforcement agencies and local authorities, to ensure the safety of children and communities in the event of future operations.
