German Court Sentences 'Vereinte Patrioten' Members Over Lauterbach Kidnapping Plot

Four leaders of the extremist group received multi-year prison sentences for planning to abduct Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and overthrow the government.

Four members of the 'Vereinte Patrioten' group were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five years and nine months to eight years by the Koblenz court.
The group aimed to abduct Health Minister Karl Lauterbach during a live talk show and dismantle Germany's democratic government.
Their plans included causing nationwide chaos through power outages and reinstating the 1871 imperial constitution.
A fifth defendant received a lesser sentence of two years and ten months; the verdicts are not yet legally binding.
Investigations revealed connections to other extremist groups, with undercover operations playing a key role in thwarting the plot.