Germany: 'Reichsbuerger' Coup Suspects Go on Trial

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Facts

  • The first of three trials against 27 members of a right-wing group accused of planning an attack on the German parliament and the overthrow of the government begins on Monday in one of the biggest trials in German history.1
  • The first nine men from the so-called 'Reichsbuerger' group (Citizens of the Reich) are charged with high treason, attempted murder, and conspiracy to establish a German aristocracy. The trial is taking place at a maximum security courtroom in Stuttgart.1
  • According to the public prosecutor's office, the suspects plotted to infiltrate the parliament in Berlin using an armed group, detain members of parliament (MPs), and overthrow the system. They were also allegedly prepared to kill.1
  • The group, which believes itself to be connected to the pre-World War I German Reich, is accused of amassing 500K euros ($536K) in cash, 380 guns, 350 bladed weapons, and around 148K rounds of ammunition.2
  • The first hearing in the expected marathon trial comes after authorities allegedly thwarted the group's plot in late 2022. The German domestic intelligence service puts the total number of Reichsbuerger members at about 21K people.3
  • The Reichsbuerger group claims that Germany is controlled by the World War II Allied powers and that a 'deep state' runs the country. The group's alleged leader, 72-year-old Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, whose ancestors were aristocrats, faces trial on May 21.4

Sources: 1reuters.com, 2NBC, 3Central Western Daily and 4Dw.Com.

Narratives

  • Left narrative, as provided by New York Times. The trial's opening is a reminder that Germany's security is also threatened from within. While many of the group's ideas may seem bizarre and eccentric, they pose a major threat, as evidenced by their plans for a violent coup. In contrast to the repressive system they seek, the defendants enjoy a fair trial — and due to its complexity, one should not expect a quick verdict. Yet, the trial proves the democratic resilience of post-World War II Germany.
  • Right narrative, as provided by Europeanconservative. The German government and its media propagandists aren't just exaggerating the threat of right-wing groups — they're publicly smearing and prosecuting them so they can then tie them to the conservative AfD Party. While the head of the liberal SPD party, Bärbel Bas, gets to write for left-wing-linked extremist publications with impunity, anyone to the right of the establishment is labeled criminally dangerous. The government's end goal is to either imprison or ban its opposition.

Predictions