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BERLIN — German prosecutors mentioned Tuesday they’ve filed terrorism fees towards 27 folks, together with a self-styled prince and a former far-right lawmaker, in reference to an alleged plot to topple the federal government that got here to mild with a slew of arrests a 12 months in the past.
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An indictment towards 10 suspects, together with essentially the most distinguished figures, was filed Dec. 11 on the state court docket in Frankfurt. Beneath the German authorized system, the court docket should now resolve whether or not and when the case will go to trial.
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9 of these suspects, all German nationals, are accused of belonging to a terrorist group that was based in July 2021 with the purpose of “doing away by drive with the prevailing state order in Germany,” federal prosecutors mentioned in an announcement.
Prosecutors mentioned that the accused believed in a “conglomerate of conspiracy myths,” together with Reich Residents and QAnon ideology, and have been satisfied that Germany is dominated by a so-called “deep state.”
Adherents of the Reich Residents motion reject Germany’s postwar structure and have referred to as for bringing down the federal government, whereas QAnon is a world conspiracy principle with roots in america.
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The 9 suspects are additionally charged with “preparation of excessive treasonous endeavor.” They embody Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, whom the group allegedly deliberate to put in as Germany’s provisional new chief; Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a choose and former lawmaker with the far-right Different for Germany occasion; and a retired paratrooper.
The group deliberate to storm into the parliament constructing in Berlin and arrest lawmakers, prosecutors mentioned. It supposed to barter a post-coup order primarily with Russia, as one of many allied victors of World Battle II.
They mentioned that Reuss tried to contact Russian officers in 2022 to win Russia’s assist for the plan, and it isn’t clear how Russia responded.
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A Russian lady recognized solely as Vitalia B. is accused of supporting the terrorist group, partially by allegedly establishing a contact with the Russian consulate in Leipzig and accompanying Reuss there.
One other 17 alleged members of the group have been charged in separate indictments at courts in Stuttgart and Munich, prosecutors mentioned.
Officers have repeatedly warned that far-right extremists pose the most important risk to Germany’s home safety. This risk was highlighted by the killing of a regional politician and an tried assault on a synagogue in 2019. A 12 months later, far-right extremists collaborating in a protest towards the nation’s pandemic restrictions tried and didn’t storm the parliament constructing in Berlin.
In a separate case, 5 folks went on trial in Could over an alleged plot by a gaggle calling itself United Patriots — which prosecutors say is also linked to the Reich Residents scene — to launch a far-right coup and kidnap Germany’s well being minister.
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