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Germany's self-declared king Peter Fitzek goes on trial for illegal banking

Peter Fitzek, who calls himself king of a made-up realm, now has to face a court. The charges: illegal banking, fraud and tax evasion.

1 min read
A man in a self-styled royal outfit stands in front of a courthouse in Germany, surrounded by journalists.
Image: spiegel.de

He calls himself "King Peter" and has little time for the Federal Republic. Now Peter Fitzek, founder of the "Königreich Deutschland" ("Kingdom of Germany", a Reichsbürger-style micro-state), has to answer to a German court.

The trial centres on three accusations: illegal banking transactions, fraud and tax evasion. It is the latest chapter in a long dispute between Fitzek and the state.

Fitzek proclaimed himself "King of Germany" in Lutherstadt Wittenberg in September 2012. In 2017, a court sentenced him to prison for running illegal banking and insurance-like businesses through his "Royal Reich Bank" and a health fund.

The "kingdom" has been in the spotlight since then. A police raid at six in the morning and a two-part interrogation documentary have both put Fitzek and his followers in the public eye. Now the court will hear the case.

#peter fitzek#königreich deutschland#reichsbürger#trial#germany
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Peter Fitzek Königreich Deutschland trial · 3 updates

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  1. Peter Fitzek proclaims 'Königreich Deutschland' in Wittenberg in 2012
  2. Peter Fitzek convicted of illegal banking over his 'Royal Reich Bank'
  3. Germany's self-declared king Peter Fitzek goes on trial for illegal banking

What happened before and after this story. Background events not previously covered were summarised by AI.

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