Germany's federal prosecutors have moved swiftly against the Reichsbürger, a group advocating the creation of a "Kingdom of Germany," which is increasingly seen as a serious threat in the current political climate, especially amidst rising far-right sentiment.
The arrests of Fitzek, 59, and three other leaders coincided with a government crackdown on the Reichsbürger movement, which seeks to undermine existing governmental structures. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused the group of creating an alternative state and propagating antisemitic theories to validate their claims. Fitzek, who has flaunted his self-declared monarchy since being crowned in 2012, has yet to express intentions of violence but has continually resisted German law and expressed contempt for the government.
The Reichsbürger movement, which boasts about 25,000 members in Germany, has a history of violent confrontations with police, including a previous coup plot in 2022 involving the planned kidnapping of government officials. The crackdown on Fitzek and his followers signifies increasing concerns about the far-right's evolving threat within the country.
The arrests of Fitzek, 59, and three other leaders coincided with a government crackdown on the Reichsbürger movement, which seeks to undermine existing governmental structures. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused the group of creating an alternative state and propagating antisemitic theories to validate their claims. Fitzek, who has flaunted his self-declared monarchy since being crowned in 2012, has yet to express intentions of violence but has continually resisted German law and expressed contempt for the government.
The Reichsbürger movement, which boasts about 25,000 members in Germany, has a history of violent confrontations with police, including a previous coup plot in 2022 involving the planned kidnapping of government officials. The crackdown on Fitzek and his followers signifies increasing concerns about the far-right's evolving threat within the country.
