Peter Fitzek Arrested Following Ban on 'Königreich Deutschland'
Interior Minister Dobrindt prohibits the far-right movement as criminal investigations lead to multiple arrests.
On the morning of May 13, 2025, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced the prohibition of the far-right group 'Königreich Deutschland', established by Peter Fitzek.
In the evening, the Federal Prosecutor's Office confirmed that Fitzek had been placed in pre-trial detention following his arrest earlier in the day.
Fitzek faces allegations of forming a criminal association and engaging in unauthorized deposit and insurance transactions, according to authorities.
Alongside Fitzek, three additional associates were detained, with two arrests occurring in the district of Mittelsachsen and one each in the districts of Oder-Spree in Brandenburg and Bad Dürkheim in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Law enforcement also conducted a search related to another suspect who is reportedly a German citizen residing in the Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland.
Königreich Deutschland, considered the largest organization among so-called Reich Citizens and self-administrators, was founded by Fitzek in 2012 in Wittenberg.
The group rejects the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany, claiming that the German Empire still exists post-1945. Consequently, its members often refuse to acknowledge federal authorities and their representatives.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution categorizes the movement as far-right.
In response to the group's activities, Dobrindt described the establishment of a 'counter-state' within Germany, indicating that its members have constructed economically criminal structures that undermine the legal order and the monopoly of force of the Federal Republic.
Following the prohibition, authorities conducted searches of properties employed by the organization across several federal states, targeting residences of prominent members.
The actions represent a significant escalation in Germany's efforts to counteract the influence of extremist movements within its borders.
In the evening, the Federal Prosecutor's Office confirmed that Fitzek had been placed in pre-trial detention following his arrest earlier in the day.
Fitzek faces allegations of forming a criminal association and engaging in unauthorized deposit and insurance transactions, according to authorities.
Alongside Fitzek, three additional associates were detained, with two arrests occurring in the district of Mittelsachsen and one each in the districts of Oder-Spree in Brandenburg and Bad Dürkheim in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Law enforcement also conducted a search related to another suspect who is reportedly a German citizen residing in the Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland.
Königreich Deutschland, considered the largest organization among so-called Reich Citizens and self-administrators, was founded by Fitzek in 2012 in Wittenberg.
The group rejects the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany, claiming that the German Empire still exists post-1945. Consequently, its members often refuse to acknowledge federal authorities and their representatives.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution categorizes the movement as far-right.
In response to the group's activities, Dobrindt described the establishment of a 'counter-state' within Germany, indicating that its members have constructed economically criminal structures that undermine the legal order and the monopoly of force of the Federal Republic.
Following the prohibition, authorities conducted searches of properties employed by the organization across several federal states, targeting residences of prominent members.
The actions represent a significant escalation in Germany's efforts to counteract the influence of extremist movements within its borders.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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