The security authorities had already targeted the “Reich Citizens” since the previous spring and had a “very clear” picture of their actions and plans
The German security authorities expect more arrests in the context of the investigation into the activities of the organization “Citizens of the Reich” (Reichsbürger) in the near future and point out that yesterday’s arrests of 25 people “is not the end of the road”.
According to both the Federal Prosecutor Peter Frank and the heads of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution Thomas Haldenweg and the Federal Anti-Crime Agency (BKA) Holger Münch, the organization’s plans to violently overthrow the democratic order were serious and advanced .
Speaking on German public broadcaster ZDF’s second channel, Mr Munch said he expected more suspects and arrests in the coming days and, referring to yesterday’s investigations, spoke of 54 people and to raid more than 150 points in 11 states.
In about 50 of these cases, weapons were found.
For his part, the head of the Agency for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldeweg, speaking to the same channel, assured that the security authorities had targeted the “Citizens of the Reich” since last spring and had a “very clear” picture of the action and their plans. “The German authorities had the situation under control at all times.
But if it was in the hands of this group, the danger would be very real,” Mr. Haldenweg stressed, while Mr. Munch pointed out that the authorities did not want to wait until the last minute, but wanted to gather as much evidence as possible. that it was indeed a terrorist organization. However, he clarified that there was no specific timetable for the coup.
Federal Prosecutor Peter Frank, speaking on Germany’s first public television channel ARD, expressed confidence that the organization “was determined and would try something” and that is why the authorities are taking action now to prevent any such attempt.
Most security experts agree that the organization “Citizens of the Reich” was a real danger to Germany and rightly its action was not rejected by the authorities as graphic. Terrorism analyst Peter Neumann told the RND Network that the group “poses the greatest possible risk of terrorist violence”.
The organization “is capable and willing to carry out serious acts of terrorism against the state”, which it does not recognize anyway. Its members “are articulating resistance narratives more clearly, claiming the right and the legitimacy for armed resistance,” Mr. Neumann said.
The Christian Socialists (CSU) internal security specialist Andrea Lindholz also said that “new qualitative characteristics” are being detected in the willingness to use force.
“Reich Citizens” are “anything but harmless lunatics and conspirators,” he told the Rheinische Post. Not to underestimate the organization, Interior Minister Nancy Feser also warned, pointing out that there was an important “military arm” with people from the German armed forces, who knew how to use weapons well. In this discussion, the head of the Agency for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenweg, stressed that serious vetting should be carried out on all those who are admitted to the federal and state security agencies.
Washington also expressed its assistance to the German authorities yesterday, with White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre stating that the US remains in close contact with Berlin and will help in whatever is asked of them.
“We welcome the preparedness of the German government and security services in the fight against violent extremism and in favor of protecting the safety of citizens and government institutions,” the spokeswoman said.
The “Reich Citizens” were also influenced by the QAnon theory, which last year encouraged a mob invasion of the Capitol, while envisioning an armed invasion of the Federal Parliament.
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