Germany "Reichsbürger" trial: Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss testifies

The accused Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss has testified for the first time in the terror trial of alleged German "Reich Citizens".

The alleged ringleader of the group distanced himself from the charges.

"Of course I reject violence, but the prosecution is trying to accuse me of the opposite," said the 72-year-old in the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court on Friday.

In his testimony, which lasted around two hours, he mainly gave an insight into his personal circumstances and his career. His parents fled from Thuringia to Hesse during the Second World War. Reuss was born in Büdingen in 1951 - the fifth of six siblings.

Reuss had to repeatedly interrupt his statement. He appeared visibly shaken, his voice broke several times and he wiped tears from his face. He had no explanation for his condition, Reuss explained several times and apologized.

He became emotional even before the trial began: he greeted his daughter at the glass pane between the auditorium and the courtroom.

The nine accused men and women are charged with membership of or support for a terrorist organization. They are said to have planned a coup and also accepted deaths. The presumption of innocence applies until the verdict.

"Reich Citizens" do not recognize the Federal Republic of Germany and its institutions and claim that the German Reich (1871-1945) continues to exist, hence their name.

SDA