In Stuttgart, Germany, the trial of the alleged terrorist group around Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuss continues with the first defendant speaking out. The 55-year-old engineer distanced himself from the conspiracy theories of the “Reichsbürger” movement, stating that he was approached to help set up local defense forces in case of a system collapse, but had no involvement in their ideologies. He claimed his intention was to network and build structures for disaster preparedness, not to participate in radical political agendas. The defendant, known as “Wolf” within the group, is accused of planning and implementing the IT infrastructure for the group.
During the trial, the defendant described his strong inclination towards crisis preparedness, citing his father’s influence as a war veteran who practiced extreme preparedness, including considering building a small atomic shelter in the garden. The defendant also revealed his left-green political stance and participation in a shamanism course. He emphasized his involvement in digital sovereignty and opposition to surveillance capitalism through large tech companies. He shared his plans to connect people in his community through a village café platform. However, he was presented with a confidentiality agreement related to the “reactivation of Germany” by the group, threatening death penalty for non-compliance, which he laughed off and signed, dismissing its significance.
The trial in Stuttgart is part of the first of three major proceedings against the alleged conspirator group led by Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuss, involving a total of 26 defendants who were accused of plotting a violent overthrow of the German government. The group aimed to establish a new state with Reuss as the leader, with former soldiers among the suspects. The focus in Stuttgart is on the group’s military arm, which allegedly planned to seize power through armed force. The indictment suggests the group began building a nationwide network of over 280 military-style local defense companies. The President of the Higher Regional Court, Andreas Singer, described the case as one of the largest state security proceedings in the history of Germany.
Originally, police officers were scheduled to testify on Monday regarding the shootings in Reutlingen. Two of the nine men on trial in Stuttgart had expressed their intention to speak about their involvement in the case. As a result, the court had advanced their statements. One of the defendants is also facing charges of attempted murder for firing shots at police officers during a raid on his residence in Reutlingen in March 2023, injuring two officers. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office views this incident as evidence of the group’s dangerous nature. The trial continues with more testimonies and evidence presented to determine the extent of the group’s activities and intentions.
