German Interior Minister has banned the far-right group “Königsreich Deutschland” (“Kingdom of Germany,”) a faction within the so-called movement, accusing it of trying to establish a “counter-state” within Germany.
The ban came as police on Tuesday conducted raids on properties of key members of the group in seven German states, making four arrests, including that of the “Kingdom”‘s self-declared monarch, Peter Fitzek.
Fitzek is believed by security authorities to have founded the group in 2012.
What did Dobrindt say of the ban?
Justifying the ban on the group, Dobrindt said, “The members of this association have created a ‘counter-state’ in our country and built up criminal economic structures.”
“In this way, they undermine the rule of law and the Federal Republic’s monopoly on the legitimate use of force,” he added. “At the same time, they use antisemitic conspiracy narratives to back up their supposed claim to authority.”
The ban also includes associated splinter groups.
What is the ‘Kingdom of Germany’ group?
According to Dobrindt, the ‘Kingdom of Germany’ group, which reportedly has around 6,000 members, is the biggest association within the , whose supporters deny the legitimacy of Germany’s post-World War II Federal Republic.
This attitude leads some members to refuse demands made by legal authorities, such as fines and taxes. They have also been known to print their own passports and driver’s licenses.
The movement has come to the increased attention of security authorities in Germany in the past years amid fears of its violent potential.
Most notably, a was Its planners are said to have intended to raid the German parliament and arrest key politicians before installing an interim government.
, and 380 firearms were found. began in late April 2024.
The raids on Tuesday took place in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
The post Germany bans far-right ‘Kingdom of Germany’ group appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
