Peter Fitzek, a 59-year-old former chef and karate instructor, has garnered attention as the self-proclaimed king of Germany, leading an extremist faction known as the Reichsbürger or "citizens of the Reich." The group aims to establish the so-called Königreich Deutschland, or Kingdom of Germany, and has reportedly gathered thousands of followers, whom Fitzek refers to as his "subjects."
On Tuesday, over 800 security personnel executed raids across seven German states, resulting in the arrest of Fitzek and three senior members of his organization. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the Reichsbürger as a group intent on undermining the rule of law by promoting an alternate governmental structure that harbors antisemitic conspiracy theories.
The dissolution of the Reichsbürger was announced by Dobrindt's ministry, which accused the group of financing its operations through various criminal economic activities. Fitzek's previous claims of wanting to reign as king are further compounded by his past encounters with the law, including a jail sentence for repeatedly driving without a valid license as a form of defiance against state authority.
Reichsbürger members often create their own currency, flags, and identification, seeking independence from the German state. Police have categorized around 25,000 individual members, of which approximately 1,350 are recognized as right-wing extremists potentially inclined toward violence. In 2022, authorities thwarted a plot involving some of these group members aiming to overthrow the German government, demonstrating their serious intent.
As the far-right ideology gains traction in Germany, officials have shifted their stance on the Reichsbürger from dismissing them as mere eccentrics to recognizing them as a significant threat. The federal prosecutor's office has classified Fitzek's group as a criminal organization, with the self-proclaimed king recognized as a central figure wielding decisive power within the group.
The spread of the Reichsbürger movement serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extremist groups that challenge the German state and perpetuate divisive narratives. With investigations ongoing and more arrests possible, the government aims to mitigate rising tensions and ensure the protection of democratic values.
