What is the banned ‘Kingdom of Germany’ group? | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Kingdom of Germany (KRD): A far-right "Reich citizen" movement in Germany.
• Reich Citizens (Reichsbürger): Individuals and groups who do not recognize the Federal Republic of Germany as a legitimate state.
• Counter-state: A self-proclaimed alternative state established by the KRD.
• Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories: Used by the KRD to justify their claims of sovereignty.
• German Reich of 1871: The historical German Empire whose borders the KRD seeks to recreate.

Banning of the Kingdom of Germany (KRD)

• The German interior ministry has banned the Kingdom of Germany (KRD), a prominent far-right "Reich citizen" group.
• Police raids were conducted on properties of key members, including founder Peter Fitzk, across seven federal states.
• The KRD has established a self-proclaimed counter-state and issued its own currency.
• Interior Minister Alexander Tobberint stated the group uses anti-Semitic conspiracy theories to support its claim to sovereignty, which is intolerable in a state governed by the rule of law.

Background on the KRD and Reich Citizens

• The KRD is considered the largest association within the "Reich citizen" spectrum.
• Germany's intelligence agency estimates approximately 25,000 "Reich citizens" in the country, with the KRD having around 6,000 followers.
• The KRD does not recognize the Federal Republic of Germany and aims to replace it with their own system.
• They seek to create a state territory based on the borders of the German Reich of 1871.
• The KRD rejects democratic structures, including parliament, laws, and courts, and refuses to pay taxes or fines.
• Founded in 2012, the KRD is accused of setting up a counter-state and using illegal banking and financing methods to expand its influence.

Police Raids and Arrests

• A large raid was conducted with hundreds of police officers searching properties of leading KRD members in seven federal states.
• The goal was to confiscate assets and secure evidence of anti-constitutional activities.
• Four alleged ringleaders, including founder Peter Fitzk, were arrested.
• The arrested individuals are German men aged between 37 and 59.
• They are scheduled to appear before an investigating judge in Katsura.
• A search was also conducted at a home in Switzerland.

Threat to Democracy

• The "Reich citizen" scene is heterogeneous, varying in organization and ideology.
• Some "Reich citizens" simply reject the current German state, while others are willing to use violence to overthrow it.
• German intelligence agencies are now in agreement that right-wing extremism poses a greater threat than left-wing extremism.

Notable Quotes:

• Alexander Tobberint: The group uses anti-Semitic conspiracy theories to support its claim to sovereignty, Behavior that he said cannot be tolerated in a state governed by the rule of law
• Nina Haz: "They want to create a state territory that essentially would have the borders of the German Reich of 1871 hence the name Reich citizens"

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The banning of the Kingdom of Germany (KRD) and the associated police raids demonstrate the German government's commitment to combating far-right extremism and upholding the rule of law. The KRD, as a prominent "Reich citizen" group, poses a threat to democracy through its rejection of the Federal Republic of Germany, its establishment of a counter-state, and its use of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While the "Reich citizen" movement is diverse, German intelligence agencies recognize the growing threat of right-wing extremism, necessitating continued vigilance and action.