After a shot was fired at a police officer during searches in the “Reichsbürger milieu”, politicians from the traffic light parties have warned of threats from the scene. “We are not dealing with harmless crackpots, but with dangerous extremists who are driven by violent fantasies of overthrow and have many weapons,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the editorial network Germany.
The state is responsible for doing everything it can to recognize as early as possible when gun owners pose a significant risk to other people. “So far we have been missing important regulations in the Weapons Act,” said Faeser, referring to her draft law from January. “We have to make sure that if there are indications that the person concerned is dangerous, gun licenses are not even issued or withdrawn in good time.”
On Wednesday there were searches in eight German states and Switzerland in connection with the “Reichsbürger” scene. An officer of a special task force (SEK) was shot in Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg and injured his arm. The shooter was arrested and is in custody. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is investigating, among other things, on suspicion of multiple attempted murder.
Attorney General sees increase in violence
Attorney General Peter Frank said the “Reichsbürger” scene is no longer the same as it was ten years ago. “Something was done against the bailiffs, they didn’t pay taxes, or they tried to boycott some court hearings.” In the meantime, networking and violence have increased, and a stronger merger can be observed. That is why the federal prosecutor also sees the danger of criminal or terrorist organizations forming there – and decided to take a “more robust approach” in 2022.
The Greens urged vigilance. The incident in Reutlingen “once again demonstrates the massive security policy dangers that emanate from this anti-democratic scene,” Green Party security expert Konstantin von Notz told the newspapers of the Funke media group. The Greens parliamentary group leader demanded a “comprehensive and unreserved clarification” not only of the attack on the police officer in Reutlingen, but also of the networks, connections and plans of the “Reichsbürger” group, which had already been uncovered in December.
Five new suspects in sight
The searches on Wednesday were related to a major raid in early December, which was directed against, among other things, the entrepreneur Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuss as the alleged ringleader. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, in the course of these investigations, in addition to the 25 main suspects so far, five new suspects are in their sights. They are suspected of supporting a terrorist organization that wanted to overthrow the political system in Germany.
The five new suspects come from Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Saxony and Switzerland. In addition, the premises of 14 other people who are not considered suspicious were searched on Wednesday. According to information from security circles, among them are a police officer and a member of the Bundeswehr. According to the federal prosecutor’s office, there were no further arrests. Attorney General Frank said on Wednesday that the investigations would take some time and that no charges could be expected in two or three months.
“Reich citizens” are people who do not recognize the Federal Republic and its democratic structures. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution counted around 23,000 people across Germany in 2022, 2,000 more than in the previous year.
