Asger Risom
Government crackdown targets country’s largest far-right sovereign citizen movement
Across Europe, fringe movements and extremist groups have repeatedly challenged democratic systems. Governments are increasingly vigilant, responding to these threats with strict legal action and security crackdowns. Germany, with its long history of defending democratic principles, has faced its share of such challenges.
In a recent case that has attracted wide international attention, German authorities moved decisively against a group claiming to establish an alternative state within the country.
A major extremist group that openly defied German law has been officially banned by the country’s authorities.
The organization, known as the “Kingdom of Germany”, was declared illegal following large-scale police raids across seven federal states. The announcement was made by Germany’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday, as reported by Digi24.
The association, estimated to have around 6,000 members, is part of the so-called Reichsbürger (citizens of the Reich) movement. Members deny the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany, refuse to pay taxes, and reject all legal and constitutional institutions. They have also been linked to anti-Semitic conspiracy narratives.
“A Counter-State Within Our Country”
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the group as having created a “counter-state” structure within Germany. He warned, “We will take decisive action against those who attack our free and democratic order.”
The organization had its own pseudo-constitution, currency, and government institutions. Its leader, Peter Fitzek, who proclaimed himself “King Peter I” in 2012 in Wittenberg, was among those detained during the operation.
Growing Concerns Over Extremism
The crackdown comes amid ongoing concerns about the rise of far-right movements in Germany.
Similar to the American QAnon movement, the Reichsbürger scene has been under investigation since last year, with several leaders prosecuted for plotting to overthrow the government.
Authorities also announced they would block the group’s online platforms and seize its assets to prevent any further extremist activity.
The ban is considered the largest operation of its kind against extremist sovereign citizen movements in Germany’s modern history.