The Trial of Prince Heinrich XIII: Accused of Far-Right Conspiracy to Seize Power

The trial of Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuss, alongside eight men and women accused of planning to violently overthrow the government and install the prince as German chancellor, commenced on Tuesday, May 21, in Frankfurt, Germany. Approximately a year and a half ago, a nationwide raid involving 3,000 police officers at 150 locations foiled the far-right plan. This led to the arrest of the prince and the other alleged plotters.

Complexity of the Case

The trial is anticipated to be one of the most intricate court cases since the 1960s when West Germany tried Auschwitz concentration camp commanders. It is being held in a large, grey temporary courtroom hastily erected on the outskirts of Frankfurt.

This is the first time the nine accused individuals have seen each other since late 2022 when most of them were apprehended. Throughout this period, prosecutors have meticulously analyzed thousands of files, chat exchanges, and hours of witness testimony to prepare their case.

Tobias Engelstetter, one of the four federal prosecutors, delivered an opening statement that lasted longer than two hours. He disclosed the bizarre details behind the charges, emphasizing the grave danger posed by the alleged insurrectionists, including retired elite soldiers, a police officer, and a former federal far-right lawmaker.