From the BZ editorial team
Their accomplices are already on trial – now there has been another raid against the group of Karl Lauterbach kidnappers!
The police are said to have arrested a total of five other suspects. Raids had taken place in Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Thuringia, Hesse, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
In Frankfurt am Main there was an arrest warrant for a 61-year-old. He is strongly suspected of preparing a treasonous enterprise, membership in a terrorist organization and preparing a serious act of violence that endangers the state. During the search of the accused’s apartment, a crossbow, an air gun and various documents were seized.
Reich citizens planned attacks
Five suspected members of the “United Patriots” group have been on trial in Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate) since May. The accusation against ex-NVA soldier Sven B. (55), Michael H. (44), Thomas K. (51), Thomas O. (56) and ex-religious teacher Elisabeth R. (75): The alleged ” “Reich citizens” are said to have planned a coup – and also the kidnapping of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (60, SPD).
► All five were caught last year and are in custody. According to the prosecution, they had developed a three-step plan. They are said to have planned explosive attacks in order to trigger a two-week power outage, a blackout.
Then the health minister should be kidnapped, “if necessary after killing his bodyguards”. In “civil war-like conditions,” the government should then be deposed and new leaders appointed.
Thomas O. and Thomas K. are also accused of preparing a serious act of violence that endangers the state and violating weapons law. Sven B. is also charged with financing terrorism and aiding and abetting violations of weapons law.
The group is apparently said to have come together in January 2022. They were exposed because they came across undercover investigators while buying a weapon. During raids, officers seized firearms and ammunition, cash, gold bars, silver coins and foreign currency.