[Text/Watchman Network Chen Sijia] According to a report by German TV channel ZDF on May 13, the German police cracked down on an extreme right-wing organization called "Kingdom of Germany" (Königreich Deutschland) on the same day and arrested four of its leaders. The Federal Ministry of the Interior said that this was an "anti-state" organization that had separated from the German federal government, and its activities and purposes violated German laws and constitutional order.
The report stated that the "Kingdom of Germany" organization is a branch of Germany's extreme right-wing "Imperial Citizens" movement, established in the eastern city of Wittenberg in 2012, with about 6,000 members currently. This organization does not recognize the German federal government and claims to be a "sovereign state," with its leader Peter Fitzek (Peter Fitzek) proclaiming himself as "King Peter I."
In order to emphasize its "national status," the "Kingdom of Germany" organization has established a "pseudo-national structure," producing documents such as "passports" and "driver's licenses" for the so-called "citizens of the kingdom," and even setting up a "bank" to issue "currency."
On May 13, in Thuringia, Germany, the police searched buildings related to the "Kingdom of Germany" organization. Visual China
On local time May 13, the German police deployed more than 800 officers and launched surprise raids in Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, arresting Fitzek and three core members Benjamin M, Martin S, and Matthias B.
The information released by the German police showed that 59-year-old Fitzek, the leader of the "Kingdom of Germany" organization, has decision-making power on key issues. In recent years, Fitzek has appeared in court multiple times, facing charges such as unlicensed driving and illegal banking transactions. In 2022, Fitzek was sentenced to eight months in prison for assaulting a security company employee and insulting two soldiers of the German Federal Defense Forces.
The police did not disclose the specific surnames of the other three suspects. German media reported that Benjamin and Martin are Fitzek's deputies and founding members of the organization. Matthias joined the organization in 2013 and oversees financial work.
Peter Fitzek displays his homemade "identity documents." Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's Minister of the Interior, said at a press conference that no weapons were found during the searches. However, he emphasized: "We are not talking about a group of harmless retro enthusiasts, but rather a criminal organization and criminal networks."
Dobrindt said: "The members of this organization attempted to establish a 'pseudo-state' within Germany and build a criminal economic network. They undermine the judicial system and the monopoly of legitimate force of the Federal Republic through such means. They also support their so-called power claims with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. This is intolerable in our constitutional state."
In recent years, the extreme right-wing "Imperial Citizens" movement has drawn attention from German security agencies due to its activities within Germany. Members of the movement refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany and consider themselves heirs of the German Empire. German intelligence agencies estimate that there are approximately 25,000 active members of the "Imperial Citizens" movement across Germany.
In 2022, the German police conducted surprise raids against the "Imperial Citizens" movement, accusing the organization of planning an attack on the German Bundestag and nominating "Heinrich XIII" as the head of state. Related investigations have led to 27 people being charged, with over 380 firearms seized, and three terrorism conspiracy trials initiated starting April 2024.
"Politico Europe" pointed out that Germany can legally ban organizations or parties deemed to violate the constitutional order. Recently, Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified Alternative for Germany (AfD) as an "extreme right-wing organization" that poses a threat to democracy and the constitutional order, sparking controversy in political circles. Some politicians advocate banning AfD, while others believe that such actions would only enhance AfD's political influence.
According to German law, after the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies AfD as an "extreme right-wing organization," it will grant the government greater authority to monitor the party's activities, but this does not automatically lead to legal sanctions or a ban on the party.
In response to the actions of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Alice Weidel and Tino Krupa, leaders of AfD, issued a statement condemning the move as politically motivated and a severe blow to Germany's democratic system, vowing to respond through legal means. Krupa also stated that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution had provided no evidence to substantiate its determination.
This article is an exclusive contribution from Watchman Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504233752844960256/
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