Trial: Criminal organization via Telegram: Reich citizens convicted

A so-called Reich citizen is said to have used the Telegram channel to encourage his readers to receive phone and email bombardments from government employees – now the Munich I Regional Court has sentenced him to a prison sentence of two years and ten months. The responsible criminal chamber found him guilty of membership in a criminal organization as a ringleader and a variety of other crimes, the court announced. The chamber largely followed the request of the public prosecutor’s office.

The court said in a statement that the defendant was a supporter of a crude mix of conspiracy theories that were based, among other things, on the so-called Reichsbürger scene. As of 2021, he ran a Telegram channel, which numerous subscribers joined. There he regularly reported on what he saw as inadmissible official actions – and called on his readers to “bombard” the relevant authorities and “keep them off guard” with phone calls and emails.

In fact, employees were then threatened and insulted and became victims of attempted coercion. The defendant himself also insulted employees of authorities or doctors’ offices with foul language in calls.

Some authorities had to close temporarily

The calls from the channel’s followers led to significant restrictions, and some authorities were closed for several days, the court said. Some of those affected suffered significant psychological impairments.

It is noteworthy that the court considered the operation of the Telegram channel to be activity in a criminal organization within the meaning of the Criminal Code. The establishment of the channel was based on a cosmopolitan worldview and opened up the opportunity for members to actively participate. The purpose of this association was to commit crimes against employees of the authorities. The defendant acted as a ringleader and also used the channel to publicly encourage criminal acts. The verdict is not yet final.