Third trial against suspects in alleged far-right coup plot opens in Germany

BERLIN — Eight people accused of involvement in an alleged far-right plot to overthrow the German government went on trial Tuesday in Munich, in the last of three trials in the sprawling case.

The eight Germans, six men and two women, are accused of “preparing an enterprise of high treason”. They are also accused of belonging to or founding a terrorist organization, and some of them are accused of preparing a serious act of violence.

The case came to light in late 2022, shocking the country, and a total of 26 people are now in court. The alleged ringleaders and key suspects, including a self-proclaimed prince and a former far-right MP, were put on trial in Frankfurt last month. The trial of nine people which opened at the end of April in Stuttgart focuses on the “military arm” of the conspiracy.

All these procedures are expected to be lengthy. At the Munich state court, 55 hearings have been scheduled until the end of January, German news agency dpa reported.

Prosecutors said the suspects believed in “conspiracy myths,” including Reich Citizens and QAnon ideology, and were convinced that Germany was ruled by a so-called deep state. Supporters of the Reich Citizens' Movement reject Germany's post-war constitution and have called for the overthrow of the government, while QAnon is a global conspiracy theory with roots in the United States.

The group planned to break into the parliament building in Berlin and arrest lawmakers, according to prosecutors. He reportedly intended to negotiate a post-coup order primarily with Russia, one of the Allied victors of World War II.

The conspirators had funding of around 500,000 euros ($535,000) and access to an arsenal of weapons. Federal prosecutors say they have compiled several “enemies lists” intended to be used in the takeover of state and local authorities.