Peter Fitzek, who styles himself as a self-declared monarch of Germany, has officially gone on trial in Düsseldorf alongside three senior associates. The defendants are facing serious legal scrutiny for allegedly leading a criminal organisation and attempting to construct an alternative state apparatus to replace the existing federal republic. Alongside Fitzek, three other men identified as Benjamin M, Mathias B, and Martin S are standing trial before the court. Legal experts note that the defendants could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of these extensive state-subversion and organised crime charges.
Building an Alternative State Structure
According to federal prosecutors, the group deliberately conspired against Germany by systematically setting up the foundational structures of a rival state. This shadow government famously included a parallel banking and insurance system, complete with operational branches located in Dresden, Ulm, Menden, and Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Furthermore, the organisation operated a registration office that notoriously issued counterfeit identity documents along with its very own proprietary currency. Authorities state that the ultimate objective of this alternative system was to entirely supplant the constitutional framework of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Rise of the Kingdom of Germany
Peter Fitzek, who previously worked as a chef and karate instructor, famously crowned himself as the supreme sovereign of his self-styled kingdom back in 2012. During his bizarre coronation ceremony, he famously donned elaborate ermine robes and brandished a medieval sword to mark his ascension. He subsequently began acquiring land and property parcels across various regions of the country, steadily expanding his following. With approximately 6,000 loyal members, the Kingdom of Germany grew to become the largest Reichsbürger and self-governance movement within the nation. However, following escalating concerns, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt officially banned the organisation in 2025, leading to the immediate arrest and detention of Fitzek and his top three associates.
Millions in Tax Evasion and Unauthorised Finance
The prosecution's indictment details widespread financial crimes, including large-scale tax evasion and organised forgery amounting to millions of euros. Over a five-year period leading up to 2025, the Kingdom of Germany allegedly amassed roughly €10m, equivalent to about £8.25m, through unauthorised banking operations and insurance transactions. Investigators assert that additional revenue flowed in through public donations, gifts, and fee-based seminars hosted by the group. Prosecutors maintain that none of these substantial revenues were ever declared to tax authorities, and no income tax or mandatory social security contributions were ever paid on behalf of their workers. Additionally, the group actively recruited external commercial companies by falsely promising them complete exemption from national taxes and official duties.
Ideology of the Reichsbürger Movement
Intelligence agencies classify the Reichsbürger movement as a loose collection of conspiracy theorists who categorically reject the legitimacy of the post-war German state. In a 2022 interview with the BBC, Fitzek explicitly denied harbouring any violent intentions while simultaneously dismissing the German government as destructive and sick. German intelligence estimates indicate that roughly 26,000 individuals are currently affiliated with various Reichsbürger organisations nationwide. While these groups exhibit considerable ideological diversity, security agencies emphasize that a small minority harbour dangerous right-wing extremist views and possess the potential for real-world violence.
Broader Crackdown on Anti-State Plots
The current trial unfolds against the backdrop of a broader, aggressive government crackdown on radical anti-state elements operating within the country. In a separate, high-profile counter-terrorism operation in 2022, dozens of individuals, many with direct Reichsbürger ties, were arrested for plotting a violent overthrow of the German government in Berlin. That foiled conspiracy allegedly involved plans to kidnap the health minister and intentionally trigger civil war conditions to dismantle German democracy entirely. Following judicial proceedings, five key conspirators connected to that violent plot were successfully sentenced to prison terms last year, underscoring the severe legal consequences awaiting those who challenge the constitutional order.
