German forces thwart coup plot; 25 persons, including former judge, arrested

BERLIN: German forces on Wednesday carried out widespread raids on suspicion that far-right groups are allegedly preparing to overthrow the government through armed rebellion. The police arrested several people, including a self-proclaimed sovereign and a former judge. They had sought the support of Russian government for the coup attempt.

According to foreign media reports, 25 people have been arrested so far. There are three foreigners including Russians in it. About 3,000 police officers raided 130 centres in 11 out of 16 states of the country. The army barracks were also inspected. The German authorities have clarified that retired officers from the army were also in the coup group.

The police had found out that the terrorist organization formed last year was making preparations to attack the Parliament. Two people have been arrested in Austria and Italy. The plot envisaged a former member of a German royal family, named Heinrich XIII under Germany’s privacy law, as leader in a future state.

As per the police, the organization has 21,000 members. It is reported that their aim is to overthrow the current democratic government and create a new government on the model of the German Empire of 1871. Apart from the 25 arrested, 27 more are under surveillance.