German Prosecutors Indict 27 People in Connection with an Alleged Far-Right Coup Plot
German prosecutors have filed terrorism charges against 27 individuals, including a self-styled prince and a former far-right lawmaker, in connection with an alleged plot to topple the government. The charges were filed on December 11, and the state court in Frankfurt will now decide whether the case will go to trial.
The accused individuals, nine of whom are German nationals, are believed to belong to a terrorist organization that was founded in July 2021. The organization aimed to ‘do away by force with the existing state order in Germany,’ according to federal prosecutors. They held beliefs in conspiracy myths, including Reich Citizens and QAnon ideology, and subscribed to the notion of a ‘deep state’ ruling Germany.
Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, and a retired paratrooper are among the key figures charged. The group had allegedly planned to install Prince Reuss as Germany’s provisional new leader. Their plan involved storming into the parliament building in Berlin and arresting lawmakers. The group intended to negotiate a post-coup order primarily with Russia, one of the allied victors of World War II.
It is alleged that Prince Reuss attempted to contact Russian officials in 2022 to secure Russia’s support for the plan, although the response from Russia remains unclear. Vitalia B., a Russian woman accused of supporting the terrorist organization, is said to have aided the group in establishing contact with the Russian consulate in Leipzig.
In addition to the 10 suspects indicted in Frankfurt, another 17 alleged members of the group have been charged in separate indictments at courts in Stuttgart and Munich. This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by far-right extremists in Germany, which has been emphasized by previous incidents such as the killing of a regional politician and an attempted attack on a synagogue in 2019. Furthermore, far-right extremists participating in a protest against pandemic restrictions attempted to storm the parliament building in Berlin last year.
In a separate case, five individuals are currently on trial for an alleged plot by a group known as United Patriots, which prosecutors claim is connected to the Reich Citizens scene. The group had planned a far-right coup and the kidnapping of Germany’s health minister.
As German authorities continue to combat the threat posed by far-right extremism, the country faces the challenge of addressing radical ideologies and ensuring the security of its democratic institutions.
