Self-styled ‘king of Germany’ goes on trial accused of heading criminal group
A self-declared "king" of Germany has gone on trial in Düsseldorf accused of leading a criminal organisation along with three other men described as his senior "subjects".
A 61-year-old self-proclaimed "king" named Peter Fitzek has gone on trial in Düsseldorf, Germany, accused of leading a criminal organization alongside three other men. Fitzek, known as "Peter the First," is a member of the banned Reichsbürger group, which seeks to establish a "Kingdom of Germany" and reject the legitimacy of the post-war German state.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison for alleged crimes such as plotting against Germany, creating a banking and insurance system, issuing its own currency, and tax evasion. Fitzek denies committing any crime and claims his detention is a violation of his human rights. He declared himself the "supreme sovereign" of the "kingdom" in 2012 and began acquiring land and property across Germany.
In 2025, the KRD was banned by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, leading to Fitzek and the other suspects' arrest. Prosecutors allege the group took in about €10 million through unauthorized transactions, donations, and seminars, without declaring the income to tax authorities. The KRD is also accused of accepting substantial donations, including cash, land, and gold, without paying gift tax.
Intelligence services estimate around 26,000 people are part of Reichsbürger organizations in Germany, with a small minority being right-wing extremists and potentially violent.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
