Germany’s interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, stated that the Reichsbürger group undermines the rule of law by creating an alternative state and spreading antisemitic conspiracy narratives to support their supposed claim to authority. Fitzek, who has claimed to have thousands of ‘subjects,’ denied having violent intentions but also expressed his disdain for Germany, calling it ‘destructive and sick.’ The group has developed its own currency, flag, and identification cards, with the aim of setting up separate banking and health systems. Authorities have confirmed that the group finances itself through crime, which has raised concerns over its ability to sustain its activities.
The arrest of Fitzek and his associates marks another significant step in Germany’s efforts to combat far-right extremism. In 2022, several members of the Reichsbürger group were arrested for plotting to overthrow the government in Berlin, with the intention of creating ‘civil war conditions’ to bring down Germany’s democratic structure. The BBC reported that the group’s activities have been escalating, particularly as the far-right movement gains political traction in Germany in recent years. The arrests of Fitzek and his associates have been hailed as a decisive move to ensure that the national government maintains control over its territory and legal systems. The group’s rejection of the current government and its desire to establish an alternative state have made it a serious threat to the stability of the German state, raising concerns over the growing radicalization of far-right groups in the country.