In Frankfurt, Germany, the most significant trial against alleged traitors and terrorists took place. Prince Reuss was among the seven other suspects on trial. The public prosecutor’s indictment revealed some bizarre expectations of the accused.
The accused appeared in court wearing silver-gray hair styled back, white shirt under a blue round-neck sweater and dark blue suit. Prince Reuss was one of two ringleaders of a planned coup attempt against the elected German government. Seven other suspects, mostly from the Reich citizen scene, were also charged with forming a terrorist organization or being members of it and preparing treasonous enterprise.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office accused them of violating several laws, including the Weapons Act and War Weapons Control Act. The trial began on Tuesday in Frankfurt am Main before the State Protection Senate of the Higher Regional Court (OLG). Negotiations are expected to take place throughout the proceedings as well as in Stuttgart and Munich at later dates.
Due to the large number of participants and expected rush of media and spectators, a new lightweight hall was built on the outskirts of Frankfurt in Sossenheim district as a branch of OLG for this trial. It is surrounded by barbed wire fences and numerous video cameras while being protected by a large contingent of police officers. This trial is expected to last years with 25 defense lawyers for nine defendants and an indictment that is 617 pages long. The trial files contain around 800 folders while more than 250 witnesses are expected to give their statements during this mammoth trial that has begun with proceedings in Frankfurt on April 13th.
