German authorities have arrested Peter Fitzek, a self-declared "king," along with three senior members of his extremist group during a coordinated raid across seven states involving around 800 security personnel. The German government has simultaneously banned the group, known as the Reichsbürger ("Citizens of the Reich"), which has been attempting to establish an alternative state called the "Kingdom of Germany."

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused the group of undermining democratic institutions and spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories to legitimize their claim to authority. The Reichsbürger movement, which the government now considers a criminal organization, has been dissolved by ministerial order.

Fitzek, 59, a former chef and karate instructor, styled himself "Peter the First" and was crowned in 2012 wearing regal robes and wielding a medieval sword. Since then, he has acquired land across Germany and claimed to rule over thousands of followers. His group uses its own currency, flag, and identification documents and has sought to establish independent banking and healthcare systems.

Despite Fitzek's public denial of violent intent in a 2022 BBC interview, officials warn that the Reichsbürger pose a real threat. Around 25,000 individuals are estimated to be part of the movement, with 2,500 considered potentially violent and 1,350 identified as right-wing extremists. Some members illegally possess firearms and have been involved in armed confrontations with police.

Authorities say Fitzek operated as the group's "supreme sovereign," making key decisions and directing activities. The federal prosecutor's office stated that the group seeks to establish a sovereign state based on the historical borders of the 1871 German Empire.

The Reichsbürger movement, once dismissed as a fringe curiosity, has gained traction amid the broader rise of far-right ideology in Germany. In 2022, several Reichsbürger were arrested for plotting a violent coup, including a plan to kidnap the health minister and incite chaos to overthrow the government.

Fitzek has a history of defying German law, including being jailed for repeatedly driving without a license. In a symbolic act of rebellion, he once surrendered his license but continued to drive — even leaving court after a trial behind the wheel.

The arrests and the banning of the Kingdom of Germany group mark a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to crack down on anti-state extremists and uphold democratic order.