Germany bans 'Königreich Deutschland' group and raids properties

On 6 May 2025, German federal authorities banned the "Königreich Deutschland" (Kingdom of Germany), an association led by Peter Fitzek, who calls himself its king. Police searched properties in several federal states as part of the action, and Fitzek was among those targeted.

The group belongs to the wider Reichsbürger scene, whose followers reject the legitimacy of the modern German state and its laws. The Königreich presented itself as a parallel state with its own supposed institutions, and it attracted members and money from followers.

The ban, issued under German law governing associations, meant the group could no longer operate and its assets could be seized. Authorities argued that it opposed the constitutional order. The move was part of a broader effort to curb Reichsbürger and similar movements, which security services have long described as a growing concern. Fitzek had been known for years for his claims of sovereignty and had previously faced legal action over unlicensed banking-type activities.