The coup virus has spread worldwide and become a full-fledged epidemic. An attempt to dissolve Congress in Peru by former president Pedro Castillo was reminiscent of Alberto Fujimori’s 1992 self-coup in that country. The only difference is that it was a complete failure, as the police and military refused to help him. Castillo has been arrested and charged with rebellion after being removed from power. Before the coup attempt, Castillo was already impeached after being found guilty of corruption. Now, in Germany, German nationalists have been arrested and their weapons seized after an alleged plot to reinstall the Kaiser was uncovered (via Axios):
According to a press release from the German federal public prosecutor, 22 of those detained are suspected members of a “terrorist organization,” while the other three are suspected supporters.
A Russian national was among those detained on suspicion of being a supporter.
Twelve of Germany’s 16 states, plus Austria and Italy, were raided, leading to the arrests.
In addition to these arrests, search warrants were served on an additional 27 people who were believed to be members or supporters of the organization.
According to the Washington Post, the federal public prosecutor claims the group was formed no later than November 2021 and that its members believe in several conspiracy theories, including those of QAnon and the far-right extremist Reichsbürger movement, which rejects the legitimacy of the modern German state.
The group, according to the press release, has been plotting to overthrow the current government, which it claims is under the control of the “deep state,” and replace it with one led by someone named Heinrich XIII PR.
As reported by the Post, the man has been named Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuss, 71, by German media.
The federal prosecutor said Heinrich XIII PR had contacted Russian representatives in Germany, but there was no indication that he had received a response.
The plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also failed, but I’m not sure the German coup had a chance of succeeding for the same reason. Castillo came the closest to pulling off such a stunt in Peru, but he could not win over the security establishment.