Reich citizen from Löcknitz: three years in prison for possession of weapons!

Reich citizen from Löcknitz: three years in prison for possession of weapons!

In Löcknitz, the verdict against a prominent Reich citizen caused both excitement and relief. Dirk B., 56 years old and a leading figure in the Reichsbürger scene in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, now faces a prison sentence totaling three years and ten months. This was decided by the Pasewalk district court after he was convicted of illegally purchasing war weapons, handling explosive substances and threatening a bailiff. The circumstances that ultimately led to the criminal investigation, which began in 2020, attracted particular attention, not least due to the suspicion of preparation for a serious act of violence that would endanger the state. Northern Courier reports that Dirk B. once again demonstrated his deep dislike for the state by denying the court's legitimacy and refusing to take a seat in the courtroom.

His criminal offenses are diverse: Dirk B. expressed the desire to obtain a functioning assault rifle and purchased a total of 37 “demilitarized weapons” on the Internet. During searches, the authorities only found two of these weapons. The investigators also discovered the secret thanks to intercepted telephone conversations and examined financial documents. At least 6,000 rounds of ammunition, most of which were refilled by a deceased friend of the defendant, were seized. The searches took place in a warehouse and a converted garage complex that is known as a meeting place for right-wing extremists.

Reich Citizens: A Growing Problem

The conviction of Dirk B. is not isolated. A look at the current data shows that the potential number of violent right-wing extremists in Germany has increased to around 15,300 people, which is according to Protection of the Constitution corresponds to an increase. Last year there was a massive increase in right-wing extremist crimes, the number of which rose by 47.4% to over 37,000.

The right-wing extremist scene is hotly contested and uses a wide variety of social issues to propagate its ideologies - from anti-immigrant positions to anti-queer statements. The connection to weapons and the necessary legislation is also a hotly debated topic. In various cases there were disputes about the reliability of people from the Reich Citizens' Movement under gun law, which forced the authorities to be cautious. Beck emphasizes that in many cases a firearms license is questioned due to ideological proximity to the Reich Citizens' Movement.

The tense situation is not only important for political decision-makers, but also influences civil society organizations that campaign against right-wing extremism. In the Löcknitz region, where Dirk B. and other regional right-wing extremists are active, there are also some voices that see the conviction as a success for the rule of law. But the defendant's supporters who were present in the courtroom show that the challenges in dealing with the Reich Citizens' Movement remain.