Before dawn on December 7, 2022, German police carried out one of the most spectacular raids in its history. That morning, 25 people were arrested in 11 of the country's 16 states, including former officers of the German army, a former member of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, and the descendant of an old Thuringian aristocratic family.
All belonged to the Reichsbürger ("Citizens of the Reich") movement, a shadowy group that emerged in the 1980s and whose supporters − estimated at around 23,000, per the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany's domestic intelligence service − do not recognize the legitimacy of the country's federal institutions and dream of restoring the German Empire of 1871. According to a statement by the prosecutor published on December 7, 2022, they had been preparing to "violently force their way into the German parliament with a small armed group" and launch an "armed attack against constitutional bodies." In other words, a coup d'état.
A year and a half later, the conspirators have landed in court. Charged with participation in a terrorist organization, they nonetheless won't be appearing together, as officials have decided to hold not one but three trials, given the number of defendants.
The first, set to open on Monday, April 29, in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, brings together members of the group's "military arm." The second, set to begin on May 21 in Frankfurt, Hesse, will feature the brains behind the conspiracy. The third, to be held in Munich, Bavaria, starting on June 18, will gather the bit players. Initially, 27 people were to be tried: the 25 arrested on December 7, 2022, plus two others who were arrested later. As one of them has since died, only 26 will eventually appear in court.
Of the three trials, the one in Frankfurt is the most eagerly anticipated, due to the social stature of the defendants and their role in the foiled plot. The trial will include the group's leader, a 72-year-old Thuringian aristocrat known as Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, who, according to the plan, was to be sworn in as "regent" and lead a provisional government after the coup. Starting in late 2021, meetings to plan the putsch were held in the hunting lodge of this former entrepreneur who made a career in real estate and sparkling wine.
Learning more about the coup preparations
Three weeks before the start of the trial in Frankfurt − where Rüdiger von Pescatore, a former paratrooper commander convicted of firearms trafficking in 1999, and Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former AfD MP (2017-2021) whom Reuss planned to appoint minister of justice, will also appear. The trial that opens in Stuttgart on Monday will be that of the main actors. In other words, those who were supposed to prepare the practical implementation of the coup.
You have 60.43% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.