Five jailed in Germany for far-right plot to overthrow the government
The defendants had planned to use bombs to cause nationwide blackouts and kidnap former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, prosecutors said.
ADVERTISEMENT
A German court has jailed five people for plotting to overthrow the country's government in a far-right coup.
The defendants also planned to kidnap a former German health minister.
The defendants were convicted of founding or being a member of a terrorist organisation called "Vereinte Patrioten" (United Patriots) and of preparing treasonous acts against the German government involving explosives and attacks on the country's power grid.
On Thursday, Koblenz Higher Regional Court sentenced the ringleaders — four men aged between 46 and 58 — to prison terms ranging from five years and nine months to eight years.
The fifth defendant — a 77-year-old woman — received a jail term of two years and ten months.
Their names were not released for privacy reasons.
The sentences mark the end of a trial which began in May 2023.
Federal prosecutors said during the trial that the defendants had ties to the Reichsbürger (Reich Citizens) movement that rejects the legitimacy of Germany's postwar constitution.
Prosecutors said the group planned to create "conditions similar to civil war" by using bombs to cause nationwide blackouts and by kidnapping former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who was an advocate of strict coronavirus measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
There were no indications that the defendants were actually close to launching a coup, but prosecutors said the group's procurement of weapons and money showed they were "dangerous criminals who wanted to implement their plans".
In a separate case, 25 people were arrested in December 2022 for planning to topple the government as part of a domestic terrorist organisation. Among the plotters was a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Berlin has warned for years of the growing threat posed by far-right extremists and has repeatedly cracked down on such groups.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
5 hours ago
- LeMonde
Europe's paradoxical support for Israel's attack against Iran
Calling for restraint and diplomacy, without condemning Israel or disavowing its strikes: France, the United Kingdom and Germany reacted on Friday, June 13, in a somewhat unexpected, even acrobatic manner, to the vast offensive launched by Israel against Iran. One after another, the three European states – which, in 2015, were signatories with Iran, the European Union, the United States, Russia and China, of the agreement intended to limit the expansion of Iran's nuclear program, buried by Donald Trump three years later – supported Israel's "right to defend itself" in the face of what they see as an existential threat: The prospect of the Teheran regime possessing nuclear weapons. Until now, Paris, London and Berlin had tried, unsuccessfully, to talk Benjamin Netanyahu out of carrying out his threats in order to favor the diplomatic option. No hard feelings. On Friday, the French, British and German leaders each called the Israeli prime minister to express their solidarity, despite the clear deterioration, at least for the first two, of their relations with Netanyahu because of the war in Gaza. "Israel has the right to defend its existence and the safety and security of its citizens. The aim must be to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking promptly. The British leader Keir Starmer emphasized in the afternoon Israel's "right to self-defense" and the "UK's grave concerns" regarding Iran's nuclear program.
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
World leaders call for restraint, de-escalation after Israeli strikes on Iran
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a "declaration of war"and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel would pay for its 'foolish mistake'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation in Iran would continue for 'as long as it takes' while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of "even more brutal" attacks if it does not make a deal on its nuclear programme". "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left ... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump said in a post on social media. Earlier the US President told Fox News that the US hoped to continue talks with Iran to end its escalating uranium enrichment programme. "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table," he said. 'Maximum restraint' French President Emmanuel Macron said Israel had the right to defend itself, but called for Israel and Iran to 'exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate', and "avoid jeopardising the stability of the entire region". Macron spoke on the phone with Netanyahu after Israel launched its attack on Iran, the French presidential palace said on Friday, without giving further details. Macron also held a call on Friday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the situation, their offices said. "The leaders discussed the long-held grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, and called on all sides to refrain from further escalation that could further destabilise the region," said a statement from Starmer's office. UN Chief Antonio Guterres also called for 'maximum restraint' from both sides to avoid "descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the regoin can hardly afford", his spokesperson said. Russia urged its citizens in Israel to leave the country, as spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies that the Israeli strikes were 'unprovoked'. 'Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions,' he said. China said it was 'deeply worried" about the "severe consequences" of Israel's actions, as it called on relevant parties to 'take actions that promote regional peace and stability". 'Dangerous escalation' Countries neighbouring Israel and Iran roundly condemned the attacks. Iraq said the Isreli stikes were a violation of international law and "a serious threat to international peace and security". It lodged a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over Israel's "violation' of its airspace during the attacks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the attacks a 'clear provocation that disregards international law'. A vocal critic of Israel and a fervent advocate of the Palestinian cause, Erdogan urged the international community to "put an end to Israeli banditry". Oman and Qatar said the attacks threatened stability in the region. Meanwhile, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, long seen as the Iran-led axis's most powerful group said that Israel's "brutal" strike threatened to "ignite the region". "This enemy adheres to no logic or laws and knows only the language of killing, fire, and destruction," the group said. Yemen's Houthi rebels said they backed Iran's 'full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means" to the Israeli strike. The Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war, said that Israel's 'aggression' constituted a 'dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the region'.
LeMonde
a day ago
- LeMonde
'Avoid escalation': World reacts to Israel strike on Iran
World leaders urged restraint on Friday, June 13, after Israel pounded Iran, striking 100 targets including nuclear and military sites, and killing senior figures. The leaders of France, Britain and Germany were set to discuss Israeli strikes on Iran in a call early Friday afternoon, a German government spokesman said. Here is a roundup of key reactions: 'Cannot have nuclear bomb': United States US President Donald Trump, told Fox News he was aware Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before they happened and said: "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see." Fox News also reported that "Trump noted the US is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates." 'Maximum restraint': United Nations UN chief Antonio Guterres asked "both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford," according to a spokesperson. Guterres was "particularly concerned" by Israel's strikes on nuclear installations amid the ongoing US-Iran negotiations. 'Maximum restraint': France French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said Israel had the right to protect itself and called for "maximum restraint" from all parties following Israel's wave of strikes on Iran. "France reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and ensure its security," Macron said in English on X. "To avoid jeopardizing the stability of the entire region, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate." 'Unacceptable' and 'unprovoked': Russia "Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies, calling the strikes "unacceptable" and "unprovoked," while the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv urged Russians in Israel to leave the country. 'Deeply worried': China "The Chinese side (...) is deeply worried about the severe consequences that such actions might bring," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, calling "on relevant parties to take actions that promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions." 'Diplomacy best path forward': European Union "The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Avoid 'further escalation': Germany Germany, which for years expressed concerns about Iran's "advanced nuclear weapons program," said it was "ready to use all diplomatic means at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons." 'Dangerous escalation': Hamas "This aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the region," said the Iran-backed, Palestinian militant group, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war. 'Threat to international peace': Iraq Iraq strongly condemned the attacks, saying: "This act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security." No 'battleground': Jordan "Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict," a government spokesperson told Agence France-Presse (AFP) after Jordan closed its airspace. 'Dangerous approach': Oman Nuclear talks mediator Oman said "calls on the international community to adopt a clear and firm position to put an end to this dangerous approach, which threatens to rule out diplomatic solutions and jeopardize the security and stability of the region." 'Strong condemnation': Qatar Gaza mediator Qatar expressed "its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack," the Gulf state's Foreign Ministry said, adding that the "dangerous escalation threatens security and stability of the region and hinders efforts to de-escalate and reach diplomatic solutions." 'Aggressive actions': Turkey "Israel must put an immediate end to its aggressive actions that could lead to further conflicts," said Turkey's Foreign Ministry. 'Reduce tensions urgently': United Kingdom British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region." 'Legitimate right to defend itself': Yemen's Huthis Tehran-backed Huthi rebels said they backed "Iran's full and legitimate right to (...) develop its nuclear program" and that "we strongly condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm its full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means."
