The third massive trial linked to the extremist ‘Reichsburgers’ movement in Germany began on Tuesday in the southern city of Munich.
The trial involves a group of suspects linked to Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuss, who prosecutors say was a key figure in an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the German government.
Some suspects only partially covered their faces from the press cameras with a folder or newspaper at the start of the trial. Others were apparently indifferent to the presence of journalists.
The proceedings were briefly disrupted by bickering from the public gallery, but then the defendants all followed the reading of the charges dispassionately, with at most an occasional slight shake of the head.
The Reichsburgers, or Reichsbürger in German, claim that the historic German Empire from 1871 to 1945, with an emperor as head of state, is the country’s legitimate form of government. As such, they do not recognize the current German government and its institutions.
The group was exposed after multiple raids in several German states and abroad in 2022.
In total, some 26 suspects are said to have planned a violent overthrow of the German government, and according to the federal prosecutor’s office, they accepted the risk that others would die in the process.
Reuss would have acted as head of a new form of government. He has denied being the leader of the coup plot.
The eight defendants in Munich are accused of membership of – and in some cases the founding of – a terrorist organization and preparing an act of high treason.
Four men are also accused of preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state, and one is accused of violating the Weapons Act.
If convicted, they could all face lengthy prison sentences.
Several of the defendants in Munich are said to have belonged to the organization’s so-called “council” – similar to a cabinet – or to the leadership of the group’s alleged armed wing.
For example, Thomas T. would have held the founding meeting of the group at the end of July 2021. Ruth L. is also said to have been one of the founders and to have recruited new members, such as the former AfD MP. Birgit Malsack-Winkemann.
According to the indictment, T. and L., who at the start of the trial practiced her profession as “astrologer, but in fact retired”, were responsible for the spiritual examination of new council members and the personal guidance of Reuss.
One defendant is said to have been responsible for procuring weapons and equipping members for the planned attack on the Bundestag.
According to the findings of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, another initiative was to take over military jurisdiction after a coup and try criminal offenses, including the application of the death penalty.
Lawyer G. is said to have been appointed as a member of the ‘Council’ for the Foreign Affairs department. Doctor R. would be in charge of the Public Health Department and, according to the indictment, would have repeatedly given lectures on the side effects of vaccinations against the coronavirus.
Two trials related to the case already started a few weeks ago. Reuss and the alleged leaders are on trial in Frankfurt. In Stuttgart, the federal prosecutor’s office has charged alleged members of the group’s military wing.
The Munich High Court has so far set 55 trial days for the trial in the Bavarian capital, which runs until the end of January next year.
