German Court Sentences Five for Terror Plot Against Health Minister Karl Lauterbach

A German court has issued prison sentences for five individuals involved in a conspiracy to kidnap the health minister and instigate chaos in the nation, revealing the complexities of domestic extremism.

Five individuals were sentenced to prison on March 7, 2025, in Koblenz, Germany, after a court found them guilty of plotting to kidnap Health Minister Karl Lauterbach during a live television event in 2022. This conspiracy, carried out by a group self-identified as the "United Patriots," intended to use the ensuing chaos to restore a 19th-century Constitution that would establish an absolute monarchy under a Kaiser.

The prosecution accused these individuals of founding or joining a terrorist organization, treason, and possessing illegal firearms and explosives, resulting in a nearly two-year trial period. Jörn Müller, the court spokesperson, asserted that the trial showcased the resilience of the democratic state in addressing threats through lawful and impartial proceedings.

The central figure of the group, a 46-year-old man, received a sentence of eight years in prison. In addition, a 77-year-old woman, who often disrupted court proceedings with antisemitic remarks and conspiracy theories, was sentenced to seven years and nine months. Three other men, all in their 50s, received sentences ranging from two years and ten months to six and a half years.

In line with German privacy regulations, the court did not publicly disclose the defendants' full identities. The group was connected to the Reichsbürger movement, a far-right faction that rejects the legitimacy of the current German government.

The plot's genesis unfolded online during the COVID-19 pandemic, where members radicalized in a Telegram chat group. In their pursuit of revolutionary action, they amassed weapons and engaged in attempts to procure materials that could disrupt the nation's power grid. Law enforcement intercepted their plans when they tried to purchase AK-47 assault rifles and other military-grade equipment during an undercover operation.

Lauterbach, who became a prominent advocate for vaccination during the pandemic and frequently appeared in media discussions about public health, expressed gratitude toward the police for their role in ensuring his safety. He remarked, “The state has shown that it can defend itself against violent conspiracy theorists,” reflecting on the judicial proceedings that took place in the wake of the threat posed by the "United Patriots."