Coup plotters arrest in Germany show terrorist threat is serious
We will continue to take hard line against such endeavors, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stressed
The investigation of the members of a far-right group that are suspected of plotting a coup in Germany shows the gravity of the terrorist threat emanating from the group, Reichsbuerger, or Reich Citizens, which denies the existence of the modern German state, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Wednesday, according to the Welt newspaper.
“The investigations provide a glimpse into the abyss of a terrorist threat from the Reichsbuerger milieu,” Faeser said in a statement, adding “we are taking action against such endeavors.”
“We will continue to take this hard line,” she said.
The minister said the group of the plotters was “driven by violent coup fantasies and conspiracy ideologies.” She said the government must defend itself “against the enemies of democracy.”
The minister highly praised the work of more than 3,000 police officers that were involved in the raids.
Earlier on Wednesday, the German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that a plot to overthrow the country’s government had been foiled. As part of a large-scale operation involving about 3,000 policemen, Germany’s special services detained 25 out of more than 50 people suspected of plotting a coup. A female Russian national, Vitaliya B., who allegedly helped the suspects contact Russian representatives, is among the detainees.
During the operation, Germany’s biggest ever, searches were conducted in more than 130 houses and apartments across 11 out of the country’s 16 federal states. The terrorist cell proved to be a large network and included a descendant of Prussian princes, a politician, senior military officers, and the Defense Ministry’s special troops. The plotters had set up a government-like council and had a military wing. Besides, they actively recruited supporters from among the army and the police.
The members of the cell allegedly planned an assault on the country’s parliament (Bundestag) using a small armed group.
