Germany bans 'Reich citizen' group and arrests its leaders

The German government banned the controversial “Reich citizen” group and arrested its leaders. Also called the Reichsburger movement, the group rejects the legitimacy of the modern German state, maintaining that the prewar German Reich still legally exists.

After years of conflicts with authorities, the German government banned the movement’s largest group, the “Kingdom of Germany.” In a nationwide operation, over 800 police officers stormed members’ properties and arrested the four leaders.