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Trial at the OLG Frankfurt against Heinrich XIII. Prinz Reuß et al. | „Reichsbürger-Prozess“ (2024)

Since May 21, 2024, Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß, Maximilian E., Rüdiger v. P., Peter W., Michael F., Johanna F.-J., Hans-Joachim H., Norbert G., and Dr. Birgit M.-W. have been on trial before the Higher Regional Court (OLG) in Frankfurt am Main.
They are accused of membership in or support of a terrorist organization, as well as the preparation of a high treasonous undertaking. An additional 17 individuals are facing similar charges before the Higher Regional Courts in Munich and Stuttgart.

The defendants Maximilian E., Rüdiger v. P., and Peter W. are strongly suspected of having founded a terrorist organization and subsequently participated in it as members (§ 129a (1) No. 1 StGB). The defendants Michael F., Johanna F.-J., Hans-Joachim H., Norbert G., Dr. Birgit M.-W., and Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß are charged with being members of that same organization. All of the aforementioned individuals are also accused of preparing a high treasonous undertaking (§ 83 (1) StGB). Alleged members Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß and Rüdiger v. P. are believed to have acted as ringleaders (§ 129a (4) StGB).

There is sufficient suspicion that the defendant Vitalia B. supported the terrorist organization and aided in the preparation of a high treasonous undertaking (§ 129a (5) sentence 1, § 83 (1), § 27 StGB). In addition, defendants Norbert G., Heinrich XIII Prince Reuß, Rüdiger v. P., and Peter W. are charged with violations of the Weapons Act (§ 52 (1) and (3) WaffG). Specifically, the defendant Peter W. is accused of a serious act of violence endangering the state through the acquisition and storage of a firearm (§ 89a (1) and (1) No. 2 StGB).

The goal of the terrorist organization was allegedly to violently overthrow the constitutional order in Germany.
A rudimentary form of government had already been developed. The defendants are accused of harboring deep hostility toward state institutions and the liberal democratic order. Their ideology spans from the Reichsbürger movement to QAnon. They are said to have believed that a so-called "Alliance" (a technologically superior, secret federation of states) would overthrow the current German government.

Against this backdrop, the alleged organization is said to have planned an armed intrusion into the Bundestag, the arrest of members of parliament, and thereby the toppling of the system. Specific preparations are alleged to have included the recruitment of military personnel, the procurement of equipment, and the conduct of firearms training.

Within the alleged organization, it was regarded as certain that the so-called "Alliance" would become active soon. The group is said to have had financial resources amounting to €500,000 and a large weapons arsenal. This arsenal reportedly included approximately 380 firearms, 350 bladed weapons, 500 other weapons, and 148,000 rounds of ammunition. Over time, members allegedly became increasingly isolated and signed confidentiality agreements, violations of which were to be punished by death.

Defendants Maximilian E., Peter W., and Rüdiger v. P. are accused of having scouted the premises of the German Bundestag in Berlin in July 2021. At the time, AfD member of parliament and now defendant Dr. Birgit M.-W. is said to have granted the others access to the premises.

The trial is being observed by Trial Monitoring observers.
Weekly reports will be published once the verdict becomes legally binding.