Germany Cracks Down on Far-Right Armed Group Accused of Creating a Parallel State
By
Yassine Atoui
13 May 2025
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of German police officers carried out sweeping raids across seven federal states in a coordinated effort to dismantle a far-right extremist and armed group. The raids came shortly after the German Interior Ministry formally banned the organization, known as “Königreich Deutschland” or “Kingdom of Germany,” which is believed to be the most prominent offshoot of the so-called “Reichsbürger” (Citizens of the Reich) movement.
A Dangerous and Radical Network
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the group, estimated to have around 6,000 members, had established what he described as a “counter-state” within Germany. The group seeks to undermine the rule of law and the state’s monopoly on the legitimate use of force.
According to Dobrindt, members of the organization bolster their claims to authority by spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories and rejecting the legitimacy of Germany’s democratic institutions.
Key Figures Targeted Nationwide
The raids targeted multiple properties, including the homes of leading members of the group and other locations linked to its activities. The scale of the operation, spanning seven different regions, highlights both the geographical spread and the level of organization of the network.
Under Surveillance Since 2016
The Interior Ministry confirmed that the ban on the group was issued shortly before the raids began. German intelligence services have been monitoring the Reichsbürger movement since 2016, following a serious incident in which one of its members shot a police officer during a home raid. The movement has been flagged as a growing threat by domestic security agencies.
An Ideology Rooted in Imperial Fantasies
Adherents of the Reichsbürger ideology reject the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany, claiming instead to be citizens of a long-defunct German Empire that, according to their beliefs, still exists de jure despite its official dissolution after World War I. This revisionist and conspiratorial worldview forms the ideological backbone of the group’s activities.
A Rising Security Challenge for Germany
This latest crackdown is part of Germany’s broader strategy to counter far-right extremism, which authorities have warned is becoming an increasing domestic threat. The dismantling of this illegal organization marks a significant move in the country’s efforts to uphold democratic order and public safety.
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of German police officers carried out sweeping raids across seven federal states in a coordinated effort to dismantle a far-right extremist and armed group. The raids came shortly after the German Interior Ministry formally banned the organization, known as...
news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com