Germany Bans Kingdom of Germany Far-Right Group, Arrests Leaders Across Seven States

The German government has banned the far-right extremist group 'Kingdom of Germany,' part of the wider 'Reichsbürger' movement that rejects the legitimacy of the modern German state. Authorities conducted raids across multiple states, arresting four key members, including the group's self-declared sovereign, Peter Fitzek, who led efforts to establish a 'counter-state' with its own institutions such as a fake financial system and currency. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the group as a criminal network built on antisemitic conspiracy theories, undermining Germany's democratic order. The movement, which claims about 6,000 followers, refuses to recognize federal laws and institutions, and has been under surveillance since 2016 due to its links to neo-Nazi ideology and violent incidents, including a policeman's murder. The ban includes blocking the group's online presence and confiscating assets to prevent further extremist activities. The crackdown reflects the new government's commitment to combating internal threats to Germany's constitutional democracy.