Nine Men on Trial in Germany for Plotting Violent Coup to Install Aristocrat as Leader

Nine men are set to go on trial in Germany for high treason, attempted murder, and plotting a violent coup d'etat to install an aristocrat as the national leader and impose martial law. The trial, which began on April 29, 2024, is part of one of the largest legal proceedings in German history, involving 27 people accused of conspiring in a plot foiled by authorities at the end of 2022.

The suspects are members of the Reichsbürger (Citizens of the Reich) group, which does not recognize modern-day Germany as a legitimate state. Prosecutors say the group had meticulous plans and stockpiles of firearms and cash, intending to infiltrate the parliament building in Berlin, detain legislators, and bring down the system, even if it meant killing people. One of the suspects is accused of shooting and seriously injuring a policeman while resisting arrest.

The group's political leadership, led by real estate investor Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuss, will face trial next month, while another group of suspects, including an astrologer, will stand trial in June. The Reichsbürger movement has parallels to and is partially inspired by similar sovereign citizen or QAnon movements in Britain and the US.

Why this matters: The trials shed light on the growing threat of far-right extremism and anti-government movements in Germany and beyond. The Reichsbürger case highlights the need for vigilance and action against groups that seek to undermine democracy and the rule of law through violence and conspiracy theories.

German authorities had the suspects under observation since 2016 and say the group had stockpiled 500,000 euros in cash, 380 guns, 350 bladed weapons, and 148,000 rounds of ammunition. The trials are expected to last until at least January 2025, but experts believe they could run for several years due to the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses and suspects involved. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has vowed to crack down on these "militant structures" that are driven by hatred for democracy.

Key Takeaways

• 9 men on trial in Germany for treason, attempted murder, plotting violent coup
• Suspects are members of Reichsbürger group, don't recognize modern Germany as legitimate
• Group had meticulous plans, stockpiles of weapons, cash to infiltrate parliament
• Trials shed light on growing threat of far-right extremism and anti-government movements
• Authorities had suspects under observation since 2016, trials expected to last years