The trial against the alleged leaders of the “Reichsbürger” group led by Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuß began in Frankfurt. Interior Minister Faeser reiterated that the accused are not harmless eccentrics, but dangerous terror suspects. Defense lawyer Roman von Alvensleben rejected the accusations, stating that his client lived according to the German constitution and criticizing the lack of concrete facts in the indictment. The defense argued that there have been no acts of violence and their client did not harbor hatred towards the state as mentioned in the charges.
Von Alvensleben also criticized the division of the trial across three different locations, limiting his client’s ability to exercise his rights. He raised concerns about media presence during his client’s arrest, suggesting information may have been leaked to the press, leading to a prejudgment of Prince Reuß. The defense questioned the compatibility of the group’s alleged dangerousness with the presence of journalists during the arrest. The prosecution denied leaking information to the media and refuted the defense’s claims.
The 65-page indictment was presented at the start of the trial, accusing the nine men and women of being members of a terrorist organization or supporting it. Prince Reuß was allegedly one of the leaders of this group, which was established in July 2021 with plans to invade the Reichstag building in Berlin and arrest government officials. The defense continues to argue against the charges, emphasizing that their client has not engaged in any violent acts and has lived in accordance with the law.
The defense emphasized that the accusations against their client are based on interpretation and evaluation rather than concrete evidence. They stressed that Prince Reuß had not committed any violent acts and did not hold animosity towards the state as suggested by the charges. Furthermore, they criticized the multiple locations of the trial, claiming it limited their client’s rights and raised questions about the involvement of the media during the arrest.
The trial marks a significant step in the legal proceedings against the “Reichsbürger” group and the alleged terrorist activities they were planning. The defense’s rejection of the charges and criticism of the legal process highlight the complexity and contentious nature of the case. As the trial continues, more details about the group’s alleged activities and the involvement of Prince Reuß will come to light, shaping the outcome of this high-profile case. The prosecution and defense will present their arguments, and the court will determine the final verdict based on the evidence presented during the trial.
