Status: 03/23/2023 07:20 a.m
The shots fired at a police officer during a raid in the “Reichsbürger” milieu alarmed politicians from the governing coalition. They insist on stricter regulations for gun owners and more vigilance.
After a shot in Reutlingen at a police officer during searches in the “Reichsbürger” milieu, politicians from the traffic light parties have warned of threats from the scene. “We are not dealing with harmless crackpots, but with dangerous extremists who are driven by violent fantasies of overthrow and have many weapons,” said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to the editorial network Germany (RND).
The state is responsible for doing everything it can to recognize as early as possible when gun owners pose a significant risk to other people. “So far we have been missing important regulations in the Weapons Act,” she said, referring to her draft law from January. “We have to make sure that if there are indications that the person concerned is dangerous, gun licenses are not even issued or withdrawn in good time.”
Von Notz: “Comprehensive Enlightenment”
The Greens also urged vigilance. The incident in Reutlingen “once again demonstrates the massive security policy dangers that emanate from this anti-democratic scene,” Green Party security expert Konstantin von Notz told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
A “comprehensive and unreserved clarification” is needed not only of the attack, but also of the networks, connections and plans of the “Reichsbürger” group, which had already been uncovered in December.
Raids in eight federal states
On Wednesday there were searches in eight German federal states and Switzerland in connection with the “Reichsbürger” milieu. An officer of a special task force (SEK) was shot in Reutlingen and injured his arm.
The shooter was arrested and is in custody. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is investigating, among other things, on suspicion of multiple attempted murder. The searches were related to a major raid in early December, which was directed against, among other things, the entrepreneur Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuss as the alleged ringleader.
Investigations seem lengthy
According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, in the course of these investigations, in addition to the 25 main suspects so far, five new suspects are in their sights. They are suspected of supporting a terrorist organization that wanted to overthrow the political system in Germany. The five new suspects come from Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Saxony and Switzerland.
In addition, the premises of 14 other people who are not considered suspicious were searched on Wednesday. According to information from security circles, among them are a police officer and a member of the Bundeswehr. According to the federal prosecutor’s office, there were no further arrests. The investigations would take some time, and in two or three months no charges could be expected.
Federal Prosecutor’s Office: “More robust approach”
Attorney General Peter Frank said the “Reichsbürger” milieu was no longer the same as it was ten years ago. At that time, their members would not have paid taxes or tried to boycott any court hearings. In the meantime, networking and violence have increased, and a stronger merger can be observed.
That is why the federal prosecutor also sees the danger of criminal or terrorist organizations forming there – and decided to take a “more robust approach” in 2022.