German legislators are demanding a review in security arrangements at Bundestag Lower House of Parliament after being detained by authorities from a far-right group they claim was preparing for a violent overthrow.
German authorities ordered Thursday 23 persons to be detained for questioning in connection with their investigation into the group. According to German prosecutors, one of those held was a former member of the Alternative For Germany (AfD), a far-right lawmaker.
Konstantin von Notz (Green lawmaker), is the chairman of the parliamentary panel that supervises intelligence services. He said that the Bundestag security arrangements weren’t made to allow “enemies” of the constitution to be elected as members of parliament.
Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland: He stated that he needed to improve the protection concept of the Bundestag, without jeopardizing the daily life democratic lawmakers.
AfD condemned far-right groups’ efforts, and expressed confidence that authorities will quickly be able to clarify the matter.
Sebastian Hartmann, a Social Democratic lawmaker, told Funke Media Group: “The Bundestag needs to also examine its security concept. Personally, I feel secure, but my trust isn’t unlimited.
Investigators believe the group was many of the Reichsbuerger movement (Citizens of the Reich) and planned to make Heinrich XIII PrinzReuss the leader of a new nation. They also found evidence of members planning to seize the German parliament.
The Reichsbuerger does not recognize modern-day Germany to be a valid state. While some of the Reichsbuerger are loyal to the German Empire under monarchy while others are supporters of Nazi ideas, many believe that Germany is currently under military occupation.
Katrin Goering–Eckardt (Vice President of the Bundestag), stated to the Funke media group, “For the Bundestag we will carefully examine what security measures we must adapt.”
