The German government announced that it has arrested four leaders of a far-right extremist organization calling itself the "Kingdom of Germany," which aimed to undermine the country's democratic order. Hundreds of security forces in several regions searched the association's properties and the homes of its key members.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said that the far-right group "Königreich Deutschland" ("Kingdom of Germany"), a faction within the so-called "Reichsbürger" (Reich Citizens) movement, is trying to create a "counter-revolution" within Germany.
The ban came as police on Tuesday raided the properties of key members of the group in seven German states, making four arrests, including that of Peter Fitzek, the self-proclaimed monarch of the "Kingdom".
Security authorities believe Fitzek founded the group in 2012.
Justifying the ban on the group, Minister Dobrindt said: "The members of this association have created a 'counter-culture' in our country and have built criminal economic structures."
"In this way, they undermine the rule of law and the Federal Republic's monopoly on the legitimate use of force. At the same time, they use anti-Semitic conspiratorial narratives to support their alleged claim to authority ," he stressed.
According to Dobrindt, the "Kingdom of Germany" group, which reportedly has around 6,000 members, is the largest association within the Reichsbürger scene, whose supporters deny the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany after World War II.
This stance leads some members to refuse requests made by legal authorities, such as fines and taxes. They are also known to forge their own passports and licenses.
Security authorities in Germany have paid increased attention to the movement in recent years, due to fears of its violent potential. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
