Germany continues crackdown on far-right Reichsburger movement

BERLIN

Police in Germany carried out raids against the far-right Reichsburger (Reich Citizens) movement in several federal states, authorities said on Thursday.

The houses of 20 right-wing extremists were searched in the early hours of the day, and around 280 police officers were deployed during the coordinated operations in eight federal states.

“Reichsburger members cannot be seen as only bizarre cranks, they can also become dangerous criminals,” Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said in a statement.

“That's why authorities are investigating every suspicion and taking action before things escalate any further,” he added.

According to the prosecutors, Thursday’s operation targeted right-wing extremists who were running a Telegram channel, disseminating the group's propaganda, and organizing illegal actions targeting public offices.

The suspects were aged 25-74, and most of them were residing in the southern federal states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria.

Authorities seized various documents and electronic devices during the raids.

"Anyone who rejects our constitutional order and crosses the line into criminal law must expect an unannounced visit from the police and public prosecutor's office at any time,” Bavaria's Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich said.

Followers of the Reichsburger movement reject the legitimacy of the German state and claim the country is governed by members of a so-called “deep state.” Many refuse to pay taxes and are often in conflict with authorities.

A group of far-right figures, with ties to the Reichsburger movement, were arrested last year over plans to storm the German parliament, cause civil war-like conditions in the country, and overthrow the government.

A former lawmaker of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), several ex-military officers, and an active soldier from the Special Forces Command were among the 23 suspects detained last year.