Researcher & PhD Candidate
Institute for Security Policy, Kiel University GmbH (ISPK)
Germany
lheyn@ispk.uni-kiel.de
Felix Neumann
Policy Advisor Extremism and Counter-Terrorism
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Germany
felix.neumann@kas.de
On December 7, 2022, a so-called “Reichsbürger“ Prince gained international spotlight for causing the largest police operation in the modern history of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Henry XIII along with 25 members of his alleged terrorist organisation “Patriotic Union“ was arrested for plotting to violently overthrow the German government; a plan built on an intended alliance with Vladimir Putin.The group around Prince Reuss not only had extensive contacts with Russia[i], the internal plans also outline that after a successful coup, a military government was to be implemented that would subsequently conclude a treaty with the Russian Federation.[ii] Even though the “Patriotic Union” cannot fully represent the highly heterogenous Reichsbürger scene, the rationale behind this intended anti-western alliance illustrates the ongoing and milieu-wide threat that Reichsbürger pose for democracy.
Kingdoms, weapons and right-wing extremism – who are Reichsbürger?
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany's domestic intelligence service, defines Reichbürger as individuals or groups who do not recognise the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany and its legal system. Akin to Sovereign Citizens, they perceive themselves as ‘citizens of the German Reich’. This self-perception is deeply rooted in conspiracy theories and often functions as primary justification for legitimization of proclaiming proclamation of their own kingdoms, laws or pseudo-feudal systems of governance. A total of 25,000 individuals are attributed to the scene, although this is an extremely heterogeneous group. Nevertheless, the following can be summarised: A general affinity for weapons, with at least 5% having connections to right-wing extremism and 10% exhibiting violence-orientated tendencies.[iii]
The perception of Russia within the Reichsbürger scene
The scene's perception of Russia is predominantly positive. Two conspiratorial elements of the Reichsbürger ideology can explain this stance. On the one hand, parts of the heterogeneous Reichsbürger movement draw from the delegitimisation of the sovereignty of the FRG that Germany is still occupied by US-forces. To end this occupation, help is expected from the Russian Federation.
On the other hand, the partial integration of the QAnon conspiracy theory into Reichsbürger ideology exemplifies a clear friend-foe dichotomy. For example, the Patriotic Union believed that a diabolical 'deep state' ruled over Germany. However, liberation was expected as imminent through a joint attack of a 'galactic' alliance led by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The group around Henry XIII Prince Reuss was actively seeking to "cooperate" with this alliance.
From what we know so far, Prince Reuss himself is said to have flown to Bratislava with former Bundeswehr officer Rüdiger v. P. to meet Russian contacts. The accused Johanna F.-J., who was intended for the office of Family Minister, is also said to have met with the former Consul General in Frankfurt am Main, Ivan Khotulev, in November 2022.[iv] Other examples are the accused Christian W., Udo M. and Frank R., who were mailing with the Russian Consulate General in Leipzig to arrange a meeting with a high-ranking diplomat.[v]
Bots, disinformation and social media: drivers of pro-Russian attitudes
The positive image of Russia inside the Reichsbürger community is equally utilised and fed by the Russian propaganda strategy. The latest since the rebranding of 'Russia Today' (RT) media centre as a weapon of political warfare in 2009, the fringes of Western societies have been the target of disinformation campaigns. The anti-democratic and anti-western attitudes of the Reichsbürger render them particularly susceptible to Russian propaganda. The head of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Office for the Protection of the Constitution confirms that influencers within the scene, who disseminate pro-Russian disinformation on social media, are often supported by Russian bots. The efficacy of this strategy is exemplified by a chat group of a self-publishing Reichsbürger author on Telegram. Messages from channels such as “Russländer & Friends” (Russians & Friends) are frequently forwarded to the group and are reacted to with at least positive emojis. A post on the US election campaign shared by “Putin's fan club” was followed by the comment “hope to see Putin by Trump's side after his re-election”.
Short and long-term threat analysis
When discussing the landscape of German extremism, Reichsbürger are often overlooked for their "rather harmless conspiratorial fantasies". Yet, the plot of the Patriotic Union highlights why this stance is not only dangerous, but how Reichsbürger have the potential to transform into a hybrid threat undermining German democracy. First, the plot illustrates the strong affinity to weapons, with access to at least 300 firearms. Second, the often belittled adherence to conspiracy theories makes the group susceptible to any narrative reinforcing the clear conspiratorial dichotomy of anti-western friends and anti-elitist enemies. Third, if paired with an imminent sense of threat, all factors may unfold a potential for mobilization: Patriotic Union believed that a defense against the “evil deep state“ was essential for survival.
Consequently, the persistent reinforcement of a clear friend-foe dichotomy by Russian disinformation may not only result in a long-term transformation of Reichsbürger into an anti-western hybrid threat. Strategic fearmongering may additionally trigger existential threat, increasing the short-term potential for further attacks.
[i] ZEIT ONLINE: Prinz Reuß soll Kontakt zu russischen Nachtwölfen gehabt haben, www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2024-04/reichsbuerger-prinz-reuss-kontakt-russland (15.07.2024).