Germany Takes Action Against Far-Right "Kingdom of Germany" Group

In a significant crackdown, Germany has banned the far-right group known as the Kingdom of Germany, which rejects the legitimacy of the nation-state. Four influential leaders, including self-proclaimed "king" Peter Fitzek, were arrested during a coordinated police operation involving 800 officers across seven states.

Germany has moved decisively against a far-right entity claiming to be the "Kingdom of Germany," banning the group and arresting four of its key leaders. This organization, which operates outside the bounds of the established German state, has been reportedly creating a parallel government structure, complete with its own currency, ID cards, and even a bank.

On Tuesday, police conducted extensive raids across seven states, mobilizing around 800 officers. Among those detained was Peter Fitzek, the group's founder and self-styled monarch, known as Peter I. Authorities allege that Fitzek led a criminal organization involved in various illegal activities, including the unauthorized sale of insurance and investment products.

With an estimated 1,000 members, the Kingdom of Germany is considered the largest faction of the broader Reichsbürger movement, which espouses various conspiracy theories, often marked by anti-Semitic and anti-democratic sentiments. Adherents of this movement assert that the current German government operates under illegitimate authority, promoting a separation from the Federal Republic of Germany.

Germany's interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, emphasized that the group's goal is to establish a "parallel state" that undermines the foundations of democracy in the country. The recent crackdown underscores the country's ongoing battle against extremist organizations that threaten its political stability and social cohesion.