Media reports indicate that a self-proclaimed “king” in Germany and his associate have been arrested on charges of attempting to overthrow the government. Peter Fitzek, aged 59, was taken into custody during police operations across seven German states on Tuesday, according to the BBC.
Fitzek leads the group known as Reichsbürger, or “Citizens of the Empire,” which is also banned by the government. The aim of this organization is to create the so-called Koenigreich German Land, or “King of Germany.” In a 2022 interview, Fitzek expressed disinterest in being part of what he called a “fascist and demonic system.”
Members of Reichsbürger reportedly seek to establish their own currency, flags, and ID cards, and even want to set up separate banks and healthcare systems. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrinz has stated that this group undermines the rule of law, promoting anti-Semitic conspiracies in the process.
Fitzek has claimed to possess a following of thousands, and he has displayed intentions that raise concerns over violence. Moreover, he has asserted that Germany is “destructive and sick.” In 2022, authorities arrested numerous individuals connected to Reichsbürger, accusing them of plotting a violent coup against the German government in Berlin.
Initially dismissed as merely eccentric, the group’s political activities over the last decade have led to a recognition of their potential threat. This shift underscores how the landscape has changed regarding such fringe movements in Germany.
