Germany bans the largest ‘Reich citizen’ group and arrests 4 leaders

BERLIN (AP) — The German government has banned the largest “Reich citizen” group, an extremist far-right organization that calls itself the “Kingdom of Germany” and seeks to undermine the country’s democratic order, and arrested four of its leaders.

Since early Tuesday, 800 police officers in several states have been searching the association’s properties and the homes of leading members.

“The members of this association have created a “counter-state” in our country and built up economic criminal structures,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said, adding that the members of the group underpinned their supposed claim to power with antisemitic conspiracy narratives — a behavior that the country can’t tolerate.

“We will take decisive action against those who attack our free democratic basic order,” Dobrindt added.