The German authorities banned the far-right “Kingdom of Germany” group on Tuesday and arrested 4 of its leaders in raids all through the nation.
German Inside Minister Alexander Dobrindt introduced the ban, calling the group a menace to democratic order whose members refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of the German authorities, observe its legal guidelines or pay taxes or fines.
“The members of this affiliation have created a ‘counter-state’ in our nation and constructed up financial prison buildings,” Dobrindt stated.
“We’ll take decisive motion in opposition to those that assault our free democratic fundamental order,” he added.
The group is a part of the “Reich citizen” motion, which claims the historic German Reich nonetheless exists. Dobrindt famous that the group’s declare to energy is constructed on antisemitic conspiracies, which he stated can’t be tolerated.
“This isn’t about innocent nostalgia, because the title of the affiliation may counsel, however about prison buildings, prison networks,” Dobrindt stated later to reporters.
“That’s why it’s being banned right this moment,” he stated.
Roughly 800 law enforcement officials participated within the raids Tuesday. German legislation enforcement arrested 4 high-ranking members of the group, together with its chief, Peter Fitzek.
The Related press contributed.