Raids expose ‘Prince Heinrich XIII’ conspiracy to overthrow German govt, 25 held: All details inside

Thousands of police officers searched for members of the Reich Citizens movement, which is said to be directed by a self-proclaimed prince Heinrich XIII. According to Der Spiegel, Heinrich XIII, 71, is a well-known member of a tiny German aristocratic family.

The organisation is thought to have opposed Germany's postwar constitution and intended to establish the 'prince' as the country's new leader.

By German privacy laws, the other suspected ringleader is a 69-year-old former paratrooper identified only as Ruediger.


Prosecutors claim Heinrich XIII contacted Russian officials to negotiate a new order in Germany after the cabinet was deposed. A Russian woman named Vitalia B is said to have supported him in these negotiations.

Birgit M W, another female suspect, is supposedly a judge and former politician with the far-right Alternative for Germany party.

The party, abbreviated AfD, has drawn increased investigation from security officials because of its links to radicals.

The raids were described as an "anti-terrorist operation" by Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, who added that the suspects may have plotted an armed attack on public institutions.

According to reports, areas explored include the barracks of Germany's special forces unit KSK in the southwestern town of Calw. Due to allegations of far-right extremism within its ranks, the elite wing of the armed forces was disbanded in 2020.

In addition, one individual was detained in Kitzbuehel, Austria, and another in Perugia, Italy. According to authorities, the defendants knew military tactics and force could only realise their goal.

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