Raids target right-wing conspiracy theorist group

German authorities banned an extremist group called the "Kingdom of Germany," raided multiple locations nationwide and arrested four of its leading members.

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The group is part of a right-wing conspiracy theorist movement known as the “Citizens of the Reich” (“Reichsbuerger”), which rejects the legitimacy of the modern German republic.

Among those detained was the group’s self-proclaimed “king” Peter Fitzek, 59, a former chef and karate instructor.

He founded the organisation, which has claimed to have about 6,000 members.

Long dismissed as malcontents and oddballs, the Reichsbuerger have become increasingly radicalised and are considered a security threat by German authorities.