2024-05-24 11:33:36
A bunch is claimed to have deliberate the overthrow of the federal government and the kidnapping of Well being Minister Lauterbach. The so-called Reich Residents have been on trial for a 12 months now. How harmful had been they?
For a 12 months now, all the things in Room 120 of the Koblenz Greater Regional Courtroom has revolved round kidnapping plans, conspiracy myths and “Reich Residents” fantasies. 5 defendants are on trial who’re stated to have deliberate to overthrow Germany’s authorities, kidnap Federal Well being Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and proclaim a brand new structure primarily based on the mannequin of the 1871 German Empire. The trial in opposition to the group referred to as “United Patriots” started a 12 months in the past on Friday, however there’s nonetheless no finish in sight.
What do the defendants say?
Round a 12 months in the past, the defendants themselves had been the primary to have their say – and so they weren’t uncared for. Sven Birkmann, who needs to be recognized by his full identify, first commented on the allegations. He described the deliberate kidnapping of Lauterbach as a “present component”. The intention was to point out: “Look, we will do it.” He repeatedly referred to the Federal Minister of Well being himself as “little Karl”.
In line with a press release learn out by his protection legal professional, the Corona coverage in Germany was the primary purpose for the person’s actions. “After I get out of right here, I’ll undoubtedly be with no job, penniless and with no household,” he stated. When requested by the choose whether or not it was value it, he replied: “If it had labored, perhaps.”
A forty five-year-old defendant denied the allegations. His lawyer stated that nobody believed these concerned might perform their alleged plans, however that they had been merely “figments of the creativeness”.
“Reichsbürger” tales unfold
The testimony of the one feminine defendant lasted for a number of days. The 76-year-old denied the allegations – and introduced anti-Semitic tales and “Reich Citizen” ideologies for hours. For instance, she referred to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) as a “managing director”, spoke of a Nazi settlement within the Antarctic and stated that the Kaiser’s renunciation paperwork had been forgeries.
Lawyer Patrick Schladt, who represents a 52-year-old defendant along with lawyer Thomas Fauth, burdened that there are important variations between people. Their shopper is on the backside of the hierarchy.
Trial as a staging – weird however harmful
A 12 months of trial additionally means a variety of time for staging. It’s a widespread technique of so-called Reich residents to make use of courtroom proceedings as a stage for spreading their ideology, says political scientist Jan Rathje from the Middle for Monitoring, Evaluation and Technique (CeMAS), who has been coping with right-wing extremism and the “Reich residents” for years.
“The statements are meant to show the existence of a supposedly secret Jewish overseas rule over the Germans within the courtroom proceedings and thus to make the German Reich able to performing once more,” says Rathje. The 76-year-old defendant might be assigned to this overtly anti-Semitic milieu of the so-called Reich Residents.
Rathje: “Not simply innocent ‘weirdos'”
The group, which incorporates a variety of various currents, claims that the German Reich (1871-1945) continues to exist. The members don’t acknowledge the Federal Republic and its legal guidelines – nor their constitutional buildings, parliaments or legal guidelines. And so-called Reich residents usually refuse to pay taxes, fines or social safety contributions.
“Regardless of all of the weird concepts which might be represented throughout the milieu, the hazard potential of its members shouldn’t be underestimated,” says Rathje. The present trials make it clear that some additionally resort to violence to implement their concepts of world order. “So they don’t seem to be simply innocent ‘nutcases’.”
How significantly the defendant ought to truly be taken is as much as an skilled who’s following the trial. Whether or not the plans had been particular sufficient to be punishable is a vital level within the trial.
Proceedings are a problem for the courtroom
The trial can be a problem for the courtroom. As much as and together with yesterday, there have been 53 days of hearings within the trial, 23 witnesses had been questioned, three consultants had been heard. And quite a few recorded phone calls and conversations had been performed; for instance, they talked about a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the “shutdown” of the Federal Republic.
Additional proceedings in Germany
The proceedings in opposition to the 5 defendants might maintain the courtroom busy for some time. “In the end, there’s nonetheless a mountain of information forward of us, even when I feel we’re slowly reaching the height,” says lawyer Schladt.
And it’s on no account the one case at the moment being introduced in opposition to suspected Reich residents. Subsequent Tuesday, the trial of the “Reich Residents” group round Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss begins earlier than the Greater Regional Courtroom in Frankfurt. A light-weight metallic corridor with an space of round 1300 sq. meters was specifically constructed for this objective on the outskirts of the Fundamental metropolis, as a result of it had lengthy been clear that the precise courtroom constructing wanted to be renovated.
The trial of the army arm of the “Reuss” group started in Stuttgart on the finish of April. And the opposite alleged members of the Reuss group will even be on trial in Munich from June 18.