What is the "Kingdom of Germany"?

Buildings and homes belonging to the Reichsbürger group "Kingdom of Germany" have been searched throughout Germany since the early hours of this morning. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has arrested four men who are believed to be the heads of the organization. At the same time, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) issues a ban on the group. He accuses its members of having "created a 'counter-state' in our country and of having built up economic crime structures". The most important questions and answers about the association and the investigations:

What is the "Kingdom of Germany"?

The "Kingdom of Germany" is currently the largest association of so-called Reich citizens and self-administrators. "Outwardly, it aggressively claims its own statehood - underpinned by its own constitution and legislation, for example - and questions the Federal Republic's monopoly on the use of force," states the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

Saxony-Anhalt Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang describes the "Kingdom of Germany" as "a particularly dangerous group in the Reichsbürger scene", which has pursued its anti-democratic and anti-Semitic agenda extremely aggressively and with great criminal energy. Their goal is to establish a "monarchical fantasy state" outside of the German legal system.

What system is behind it?

The group's goal is to replace the system of the Federal Republic of Germany with their own, according to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office. Members were to be exempt from paying taxes and social security contributions, for example. To this end, the group has created its own currency, its own banking and insurance system and a registration office with fictitious identification documents.

According to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, the group was financed primarily through prohibited banking and insurance transactions as well as donations and income from seminars. There were "system exit seminars" for new followers. Money was also raised by recruiting companies, which in return were offered the prospect of being able to sell their goods and services through the association free of sales and social security contributions.

Who is Peter Fitzek?

Born in Halle in Saxony-Anhalt, Peter Fitzek founded the "Kingdom of Germany" in Wittenberg in 2012 and led it as the so-called "Supreme Sovereign". According to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, as such he had "control and decision-making power in all key areas". For example, he determined the ideological direction and issued his own "laws".

Who are the other accused?

In addition to Fitzek, the federal prosecutor's office also had three other alleged ringleaders of the "Kingdom of Germany" arrested today. Two of them are also said to be among the founding members of the association and act as Fitzek's deputies. The third man joined the group in 2013 and was responsible for the finances. The highest German prosecution authority accuses him of helping Fitzek with unauthorized deposit transactions.

Does the timing of the ban have anything to do with the change of government?

No. Only the respective Federal Minister of the Interior can declare an extremist association. However, according to information from security circles, tactical investigative reasons were decisive for the timing. The ban and preparations for the associated measures had already been underway for months.

How did the searches and arrests take place?

Police forces from the federal states appeared simultaneously at various locations in seven federal states in the early morning. According to Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), a total of 800 officers were involved in the searches and arrests. One focus was in Halsbrücke in Saxony. This is the headquarters of the self-proclaimed "kingdom" and Fitzek's place of residence.

How dangerous is the group?

Many "Reichsbürger" are gun enthusiasts. This does not apply to the now banned group, which also recruited followers on social networks. "No relevant weapons" have been found so far, reported Dobrindt after the searches began.

Are there links to other "Reichsbürger" associations?

Nothing is known about close contacts with other "Reichsbürger" groups. This is not unusual among extremists that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution counts among the "Reich Citizens and Self-Administrators" spectrum. After all, these groups, some of which spread right-wing extremist ideas, are often concerned with creating their own counter-authority. According to the Federal Minister of the Interior, there are currently around 40 other "kingdoms and empires" in addition to the now banned association.

The ban on associations is good, but is not enough, says Irene Mihalic, Parliamentary Secretary of the Green parliamentary group in the Bundestag. She recalls the "Reichsbürger" group around Henry XIII Prince Reuss, which is said to have planned a coup. "During the planned storming of the Reichstag, in which the former AfD member of parliament, Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, was involved, it also became clear that there are excellent contacts between the Reichsbürger milieu and the AfD," says the interior politician. That is why it is also important in the current case to clarify any links to the AfD.