Who the prominent defendants are - and what is known about the alleged Reichsbürgern network

Table of contents

• What are the alleged Reichsbürger accused of?
• What is the group's ideology?
• How was the network structured?
• What were the alleged plans for the time after the coup?
• How far along were the preparations?
• What happens now?

Major raid - Who the prominent defendants are - and what is known about the alleged Reichsbürgern network

One year after the nationwide raid against a suspected network of Reich citizens, the federal prosecutor's office has brought charges against 26 suspected members and one suspected supporter. According to statements made on Tuesday, the Karlsruhe authorities have charged them with membership or support of a terrorist organization and the preparation of a highly treasonous enterprise. Three higher regional courts are to deal with the charges.

The most important questions and answers at a glance.

What are the alleged Reichsbürger accused of?

According to the federal prosecutor's office, the organization, which was founded at the end of July 2021, allegedly aimed to overcome the state order in Germany and replace it with its own roughly devised form of government with Reuß as provisional head.

The alleged members allegedly did not shy away from violence. For example, the network is said to have planned to send armed men into the Bundestag to arrest politicians. According to the federal prosecutor's office, they were aware that the planned takeover would result in deaths.

The federal prosecutor's office brought charges against a total of 27 people. Most of them are accused of being members of a terrorist organization, some of them of founding one. They were also charged with preparing a highly treasonous enterprise.

Reuß and the former German army officer Rüdiger von P. are considered the ringleaders. The federal prosecutor's office also accuses some of the accused of weapons offenses or the preparation of a serious act of violence endangering the state.

One man, Markus L., was also charged with attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm. He is said to have deliberately shot at police officers during a search of his apartment in Reutlingen. The Russian Vitalia B. - the only non-German among the accused - is said to have put Reuß in touch with the Russian Consulate General in Leipzig. She is accused of support and aiding and abetting.

What is the ideology of the group?

The accused are said to believe in conspiracy myths of the Reichsbürger and QAnon movements and reject the free democratic basic order. According to the allegations, they are convinced that Germany is secretly governed by a so-called Deep State.

Apparently, they expected an attack on Germany's highest institutions by a secret society consisting of foreign governments, armed forces and secret services on "Day X". Their own organization was then supposed to eliminate institutions and officials at the federal state, district and municipal levels.

How was the network structured?

It is said to have had a central committee, the so-called council. According to the federal prosecutor's office, this was made up of various departments, similar to a government cabinet. The group is said to have planned the council as a transitional government. There was also allegedly a military arm that was to enforce the planned takeover by force of arms.

What were the alleged plans for the period after the coup?

According to the allegations, the Council was to negotiate the new state order in Germany with the victorious Allied powers of the Second World War. From the group's point of view, however, the only central point of contact was Russia.

How far along were the preparations?

According to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, a Germany-wide system of 286 so-called homeland security companies, militarily organized units, was being set up. At several recruitment events, attempts were allegedly made to recruit active or former members of the police or Bundeswehr for the group. So-called enemy lists were also drawn up.

Members of the group had explored Bundestag properties and former MP Malsack-Winkemann had provided information about parliamentary operations. The alleged ringleaders Reuß and von P. are said to have tried to meet representatives of Russia in Slovakia. Reuß had also made representations to the Consulate General in Leipzig. According to the federal prosecutor's office, it is still unclear how Russia reacted.

The network is said to have had around half a million euros at its disposal and access to a "massive arsenal" of around 380 firearms, almost 350 cutting and stabbing weapons and almost 500 other weapons. Shooting training sessions are said to have taken place.

What happens now?

The higher regional courts in Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart and Munich will decide on the charges. The courts in Frankfurt and Munich have already announced that it usually takes several months to decide whether the so-called main proceedings will be opened.

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1. The federal prosecutor's office alleges that the Reichsbürger network in Germany aimed to overthrow the current government and establish a provisional government headed by Reuß.
2. In Germany, the federal prosecutor's office accuses the network of planning to send armed men into the Bundestag to arrest politicians, aware that such a takeover would result in deaths.
3. Markus L., one of the accused, is charged with attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm in Germany, having deliberately shot at police officers during a search of his apartment in Reutlingen.
4. The Russian Vitalia B., a non-German among the accused, is said to have facilitated contact between Reuß and the Russian Consulate General in Leipzig, charged with supporting and aiding the network.
5. The alleged ideology of the Reichsbürger network in Germany is that of believing in conspiracy theories, rejecting the free democratic basic order, and believing that Germany is secretly governed by a Deep State.
6. The federal armed forces in Germany are alleged to have been targeted by the Reichsbürger network, with so-called enemy lists being drawn up and attempts made to recruit active or former members of the police or Bundeswehr for the group.
7. According to the federal prosecutor's office, the Reichsbürger network in Germany had access to a considerable arsenal of weapons and held shooting training sessions, raising concerns about public safety and potential violence.

Source: www.stern.de