A group is said to have planned to overthrow the government and kidnap Health Minister Lauterbach. The so-called Reich citizens have been on trial for a year now. How dangerous were they?
For a year now, room 120 of the Koblenz Higher Regional Court has been all about kidnapping plans, conspiracy myths and “Reich Citizen” fantasies. Five defendants are on trial who are said to have planned to overthrow Germany’s government, kidnap Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and proclaim a new constitution modeled on the 1871 Empire. The trial against the group called “United Patriots” began a year ago on Friday, but there is still no end in sight.
What do the defendants say?
About a year ago, the defendants themselves were the first to have their say – and not too briefly. First, Sven Birkmann, who would like to be mentioned by his full name, commented on the allegations. He described Lauterbach’s planned kidnapping as a “show element”. The aim was to show: “Look, we can do it.” He repeatedly referred to the Federal Minister of Health himself as “Little Karl”.
According to a statement read out by his defense attorney, the Corona policy in Germany was the decisive factor for the man’s actions. “When I get out of here, I’ll definitely be jobless, penniless and familyless,” he said. When the judge asked if it had been worth it, he replied: “If it had worked, maybe.”
A 45-year-old defendant denied the allegations. His lawyer said that no one believed that those involved could carry out their alleged plans; rather, it was a “fantasy.”
“Reich Citizen” stories spread
The testimony of the only female defendant took several days. The 76-year-old denied the allegations – and presented anti-Semitic stories and “Reich Citizen” ideologies for hours. For example, she referred to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) as “managing director”, spoke of a Nazi settlement in Antarctica and that the emperor’s renunciation documents were forgeries.
Attorney Patrick Schladt, who represents a 52-year-old defendant together with attorney Thomas Fauth, emphasized that there are significant differences between individual people. Your client is at the lowest level in the hierarchy.
Process as a production – bizarre but dangerous
A year of process also means a lot of time for productions. It is a common strategy of so-called Reich citizens to use court proceedings as a stage for the spread of their ideology, says political scientist Jan Rathje from the Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (CeMAS), who has been dealing with right-wing extremism and the “Reich Citizens” for years ” explains.
“The statements are intended to expose the existence of an alleged secret Jewish foreign rule over the Germans in the court hearings and thus to make the German Reich capable of acting again,” says Rathje. The 76-year-old defendant could be assigned to this openly anti-Semitic milieu of the so-called Reich citizens.
Rathje: “Not just about harmless “weirdos””
The group, in which there are very different currents, claims that the German Empire (1871-1945) continues to exist. The Federal Republic and its laws do not recognize the members – nor their constitutional structures, parliaments or laws. And so-called Reich citizens often refuse to pay taxes, fines or social security contributions.
“Despite all the seemingly bizarre ideas that are represented within the milieu, the danger potential of its members should not be underestimated,” says Rathje. The current trials made it clear that some also resorted to violence to implement their ideas about world order. “So they’re not just harmless ‘weirdos’.”
An expert who follows the trial must decide how seriously the defendant actually should be taken. Whether the plans were specific enough to be punishable is a crucial point in the trial.
Procedure is a challenge for the court
The process is also a challenge for the court. Up to and including yesterday, there were 53 days of proceedings in the trial, 23 witnesses were heard and three experts were heard. And numerous recorded phone calls and conversations were played; It talked about a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the “shutdown” of the Federal Republic.
Further proceedings in Germany
The case against the five defendants could keep the court busy for a while. “Ultimately, there is still a good mountain of files that lie in front of us, even if we are slowly, I think, approaching the peak point,” says lawyer Schladt.
And it is currently far from the only case against suspected Reich citizens. The trial of the “Reich Citizens” group around Heinrich XIII will begin next Tuesday at the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court. Prince Reuss. For this purpose, a lightweight metal hall with an area of around 1,300 square meters was built on the outskirts of the Main metropolis because it had long been clear that the actual court building needed to be renovated.
The court hearing regarding the military wing of the “Reuss” group began in Stuttgart at the end of April. And the other suspected members of the Reuss group will also be on trial in Munich from June 18th.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
