Berlin (Germany), May 13 (LaPresse/AP) – The German government has banned the largest group of so-called 'Reich Citizens', a far-right organization that calls itself the 'Kingdom of Germany' and seeks to undermine the country's democratic order.
From the early hours of the morning, hundreds of security forces across various federal states carried out raids on the group’s properties and the homes of prominent members.
“The members of this association have created a 'counter-state' within our country and have built criminal and economic structures,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, adding that members support their claimed authority with antisemitic conspiracy theories—behavior the country cannot tolerate. “We will act decisively against those who attack our free democratic order,” he added.
The so-called 'Reich Citizens' or Reichsbürger movement does not recognize Germany as a legitimate state. Many adherents believe the historic German Reich still exists and disregard the country’s democratic and constitutional institutions such as the parliament, laws, or courts. They also refuse to pay taxes, social contributions, or fines.
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