The detainees are suspected of “concrete preparations to violently enter the Bundestag (Lower House of Parliament) with a small armed group”, says a statement released by the Public Ministry.
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“We suspect that an armed attack was being planned against constitutional bodies,” said Justice Minister Marco Buschmann in a message on Twitter, in which he highlighted a “wide-ranging anti-terrorist operation.”
The German press highlights that this is the largest police operation of its kind in the country's history.
In addition to the 25 detainees, another 27 people are being investigated on suspicion of being part of the criminal cell, the MP said.
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Authorities in Germany have classified far-right violence as the main threat to public order, ahead of Islamic extremism.
A few months ago, authorities dismantled a small far-right group suspected of planning attacks in the country and the kidnapping of the Minister of Health, who implemented anti-Covid restriction measures.
Citizens of the Reich
The operation targets the “Reichsbürger” (Citizens of the Reich) movement. The members do not recognize the institutions, do not obey the police or pay taxes.
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The cell, founded at the end of 2021, aims to overcome the existing state order in Germany and replace it with its own form of state”, states the statement from the Karlruhe MP, responsible for cases affecting state security.
The far-right network was aware that to eliminate the democratic order “there would also be deaths”, but considered it “a necessary intermediate step” to achieve “system change”.
According to the court, the organization was very well structured, with a “central body” and a “military arm” responsible for purchasing equipment and training members in the use of weapons. It also had commissions on “justice, foreign relations and health”.
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Former military personnel were part of the group.
(With AFP)
