The German government has officially banned an extremist far-right organization affiliated with the "Reichsbürger" (Citizens of the Reich) movement and executed dawn raids on its properties and the residences of its leaders, as reported by the interior ministry on Tuesday.
In a coordinated effort, hundreds of security personnel conducted searches across several German states, targeting locations associated with the self-proclaimed "Königreich Deutschland" (Kingdom of Germany) group. Four prominent members of the organization were arrested during these operations.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt remarked that the organization, boasting around 6,000 members, has formed a "counter-state" within Germany and has developed "economic criminal structures." He further noted that the group supports its claims to authority through antisemitic conspiracy theories, asserting that Germany will not tolerate such activities.
"We will take decisive action against those who attack our free democratic basic order," Dobrindt stated.
As part of the crackdown, the group's online platforms will be blocked, and its assets will be confiscated to prevent any future use of resources for extremist purposes, according to the interior ministry.
The "Kingdom of Germany" was established by its leader, Peter Fitzek, in 2012 in Wittenberg. The group claims to have seceded from the federal government and functions as a self-declared "counter-state."
Members of the "Citizens of the Reich" movement do not recognize Germany as a legitimate state, asserting that the historical German Reich still exists. Many of its adherents disregard the country's democratic and constitutional frameworks, including parliament, laws, and courts, and refuse to fulfill obligations such as paying taxes, social security contributions, or fines.
Germany has long been alert to the rising threat posed by far-right extremists and has taken multiple actions against such organizations. In March, five individuals affiliated with the "Citizens of the Reich" movement were sentenced to prison for their involvement in a plot to overthrow the German government in a far-right coup.
In a separate incident from December 2022, 25 people were arrested for attempting to topple the government as part of a domestic terrorist organization, which included a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
