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Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuss

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In this German name, the surname is Prinz Reuss.
Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuss
Portrait photograph of Reuss
Reuss during the unveiling of the Flame of Peace, 2018[1]
Born (1951-12-04) 4 December 1951 (age 73)
Büdingen, West Germany
OccupationReal estate developer
Known forAlleged leadership in 2022 German coup d'état plot
Spouse
Susan Doukht Jalali
​
​
(m. 1989, divorced)​
[2]
PartnerVitalia B.[3]
Children2[2]
Parents
FamilyReuss

Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuss (German: Heinrich XIII. Prinz Reuß,[4] pronounced [ˈhaɪnʁɪç deːɐ̯ ˈdʁaɪˌtseːntə pʁɪnts ˈʁɔʏs]; born 4 December 1951)[2][5] is a German businessman, far-right and monarchist activist, and member of the aristocratic House of Reuss family. A proponent of the Reichsbürger movement and antisemitic conspiracy theories,[6] Reuss was arrested by German Federal Police in December 2022 due to his alleged leadership in the 2022 German coup d'état plot.[7][8][9][10]

Biography

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Personal life and ancestry

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Reuss was born in Büdingen on 4 December 1951, the fifth of six children and the fourth son born to Prince Heinrich I Reuss and Duchess Woizlawa Feodora of Mecklenburg, who was in turn the only child of the German colonial politician Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg.[2][5] Reuss's parents, like all German nobility, had become private citizens in 1919 upon the adoption of the Weimar Constitution, which abolished any privileges and titles that had previously existed for nobility.[11]

The House of Reuss, from which Reuss is descended, dates to the 12th century and historically administered the regions of Gera and Greiz,[12] a non-contiguous mini-state in what is today Eastern Thuringia. Reuss left the family association at his own request around 2009.[13]

Reuss married Iranian-born Susan Doukht Jalali in 1989, and they have two children, including a son named Heinrich XXVIII (born circa 1991)[2][14] and a daughter Elena, who has Down syndrome and was born in 1989.[15] The couple divorced.[16] His wife uses the name Princess Susan Reuss and works as a naturopath.[17] She has served as Germany's attaché to UNESCO in support of its program Education for Children in Need.[15] Reuss is also reported to have as a girlfriend a Russian national identified by prosecutors as "Vitalia B.", aged 39 in 2022,[18] at their arrest[19] who allegedly had some role in the coup plot.[3][20]

Business and family activities

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The restored Gera Theater in Thuringia, former property of Reuss's family which he unsuccessfully attempted to reclaim
The restored Thallwitz Castle in Saxony was restituted; in 2022 abandoned and in a neglected condition

Reuss worked as a real estate developer, operating a company named Büro Prinz Reuss in Frankfurt, and also produced sparkling wine.[21]

In 1945, the Communist land reform in the Soviet occupation zone (East Germany) expropriated all movable and immovable assets of the House of Reuss.[22] Following the reunification of Germany in 1990, Reuss tried to have properties restituted. The clan, which consisted of five large families, wanted Gera townhouses, four castles, extensive forestry and agricultural property and the Jugendstil Reuss Theater in Gera, then held by the city of Gera in Thuringia.[14] Concerning the theater, Reuss and the mayor of Gera were unable to negotiate a settlement, each blaming the other.[14]

Reuss spent much of his fortune on lawsuits seeking restitution, but with little success.[23] He conducted court proceedings on behalf of his mother, who died in 2019, and obtained many artworks that were later sold at auction for 3.5 million marks while more than 300 pieces were lent to museums. In addition, he conducted court proceedings on behalf of his mother for former properties. However, he was not quite as unsuccessful in this as he claimed. In 2008, she obtained in a settlement the restitution of forest property and the restored Thallwitz Castle (formerly a hospital) in Saxony.[22] He is said to have inherited it from her after persuading her to make him her sole heir – disinheriting his siblings. Today Thallwitz Castle is neglected. He ended up purchasing Jagdschloss Waidmannsheil [de] in Bad Lobenstein from the state, from which he ran a hickory golf course.[24] The hunting lodge is said to have served as a meeting place for the alleged conspirators.

In 2017, he supported the reinterment of the remains of a number of his ancestors, most prominent among them Henry II, Count of Reuss-Gera, in their original location. Their sarcophagi had been moved repeatedly since the church where they were entombed was destroyed in a fire in 1780.[25]

Views and conspiracy theories

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Many of Reuss's views are consistent with monarchism. He has called for "the revival of the legal structures" that existed before 1918, when the abolition of the monarchy "created so much suffering".[26] He has spoken in favour of low flat tax for all citizens and against debt-based business models hailing the 10 percent rate in the former Principality of Reuss, saying it let Reuss's citizens lead "happy lives" because it was "straightforward and transparent".[27] Reuss contended that the modern German government and European Union were more distant and inaccessible than feudal princes. Reuss also gave speeches claiming that Germany had been a vassal state since the Second World War.[27] At World Web Forum in Zürich in 2019, Reuss gave a speech accusing the Rothschilds and Freemasons of responsibility for the wars of the 20th century, expressing antisemitic conspiracy theories.[28][10] The speech left attendees "horrified", with some booing or leaving.[10]

Reuss with his mother (left), Herta and Sandor Habsburg-Lothringen (right) unveiling the "Flame of Peace" in Gera.

On 22 December 2018, Reuss and his mother attended the unveiling of a "Flame of Peace" sculpture in Gera in honor of her 100th birthday by the heads of the Vienna-based Association for the Promotion of Peace.[29] In 2020, Reuss participated in the celebration of the first International Day of Conscience event in Vienna.[30]

Assault on journalist Peter Hagen

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Reuss's hunting lodge Jagdschloss Waidmannsheil [de] in Saaldorf (Bad Lobenstein), Thuringia, where meetings regarding the coup were allegedly held and weapons stockpiled

In August 2022, Reuss attended an official reception held by Thomas Weigelt, the mayor of Bad Lobenstein, where Reuss's hunting lodge Jagdschloss Waidmannsheil [de] is located. Weigelt was known to be sympathetic to the Reichsbürger movement and journalist Peter Hagen asked him why someone associated with the Reichsbürger scene like Reuss would be invited to an official event. The next day Hagen approached the mayor at the market festival and tried to film him in familiar conversation with Reuss and AfD-politician Uwe Thrum [de]. Filming the trio led to a violent attack by Weigelt on the journalist, which was captured on film.[31][32] After injuring the journalist (who had to be treated in hospital) and damaging his equipment,[13][33][34] Weigelt refused to resign and was suspended from office.[24]

The incident attracted national attention. Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser condemned the assault and called for a full investigation of the incident. She stated "Fear, intimidation and violence must never be means of confrontation". Without free and critical media, there would be no democracy, she added. "This applies at all levels, especially on the ground in local reporting, where people meet directly day after day."[35] Afterwards, the current head of the Reuss family, Heinrich XIV Fürst Reuss [et],[a] objected to his involvement in local politics "in the strongest possible way". He called Heinrich XIII, his third cousin,[5] a "distant relative" and "a confused old man peddling in conspiracy theories".[13][33][38]

Involvement in 2022 German coup plot

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Main article: 2022 German coup d'état plot

On 7 December 2022, Reuss was arrested at his home in the Westend district of Frankfurt during an extensive raid of alleged far-right conspirators planning a coup d'état.[21] According to police, the coup's conspirators—which included former Bundestag member Birgit Malsack-Winkemann—were proponents of the Reichsbürger movement who hoped to install the 71-year-old Reuss as head of state[39] Reuss's hunting lodge Jagdschloss Waidmannsheil [de] in Saaldorf [de], Thuringia was allegedly the site of weapons stockpiles and meetings regarding the conspiracy.[27][2]

Reuss and "Vitalia B." are reported to have reached out to the Russian government via its Consulate General in Leipzig,[20] presumably for assistance in the coup.[40][3] The conspirators allegedly planned to cooperate with Russia, but according to the Federal Prosecutor's Office of Germany, there was nothing to suggest that the Russians "reacted positively to his request."[20] A spokesperson from the Russian Embassy in Berlin denied any involvement.[41] Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it "appears to be a German internal problem".[11]

Heinrich XIV Fürst Reuss distanced himself and his family again after Reuss was arrested in 2022, calling Reuss a "confused old man" and "a marginal figure" and noting that their last common ancestor lived in the early 19th century. He said Reuss's behaviour was a "catastrophe" for the family, whose heritage as tolerant and cosmopolitan rulers was now associated with "terrorists and reactionaries".[42] He believes Reuss's anti-government views derive from his resentment at the German judicial system for its failure to recognize his claims to family properties expropriated at the end of World War II.[24]

The trial of Reuss and eight other plotters began on 21 May 2024 in Frankfurt.[43]

Notes

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  1. ^ Heinrich XIV Fürst Reuss,[36] born in Vienna in 1955, has headed the House of Reuss since 2012. He lives in Austria with his wife and four children. After German reunification, his branch of the family won the restitution of some properties that had been expropriated in 1945 and he has maintained a second home in Bad Köstritz. As of 2018, his heir Heinrich XXIX Prinz Reuss, born 1997, planned to make Gera his home.[37]

References

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  1. ^ ""Flame of Peace" monument unveiling in Gera -Thuringia-Germany with Henry XIII Prince Reuss – Flame of Peace". 22 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Fahey, Ryan (7 December 2022). "Everything we know about German coup leader Prince Heinrich XIII who wants to be king". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Loveday, Morris; Mekhennet, Souad (8 December 2022). "Heinrich XIII, Germany's 'Putsch Prince,' lamented monarchy's demise". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  4. ^ German Commercial Register
  5. ^ a b c McNaughton, Arnold (1973). The Book of Kings: A Royal Genealogy. New York City: Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co. pp. 344–5. ISBN 0-8129-0280-7. OCLC 1340410.
  6. ^ Weber, Peter (12 December 2022). "German coup plot suspect Heinrich XIII's family was unimpressed with his princely ambitions". Yahoo News. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss: Who is 'ringleader' of German far-right coup plot – and what is the Reichsburger movement?". Sky News. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  8. ^ Murray, Miranda (7 December 2022). "Germany raids far-right group over plot to install prince in coup". Reuters. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  9. ^ Morris, Loveday; Mekhennet, Souad (8 December 2022). "Heinrich XIII, Germany's 'Putsch Prince,' lamented monarchy's demise". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Schumacher, Elizabeth (8 December 2022). "Heinrich XIII: Germany's far-right prince who planned a coup". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 12 December 2022. he then trotted out several well-worn antisemitic tropes
  11. ^ a b Murray, Miranda (7 December 2022). "Germany foils far-right plot to install Prince Heinrich XIII in coup". Reuters.
  12. ^ "Heinrich XIII. Reuß festgenommen: Wer ist der Prinz, der Scholz ersetzen wollte?" [Heinrich XIII. Reuß Arrested: Who is the Prince who Wanted to Replace Scholz?]. euronews (in German). 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "Fürstenhaus Reuss distanziert sich von Weigelt-Gast Prinz Heinrich XIII" [House of Reuß Distances Itself from Weigelt's Guest Prince Heinrich XIII]. Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (in German). 25 August 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  14. ^ a b c Mischke, Roland (24 December 1998). "Heinrich XIII. Prinz Reuß, Erbe einer 700jährigen Fürstentradition, will Geras Jugendstil-Theater und einiges mehr zurückbekommen: "Ein bißchen mitreden möchten wir schon"". Berliner Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Mazda unterstützt UNESCO Attaché Susan Prinzessin Reuss" [Mazda supports UNESCO Attaché Susan Princess Reuss]. Presseportal Mazda Deutschland (Press release) (in German). 26 August 2003. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Reuss". Angelfire. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Princess Susan Reuss". Princess Susan Reuss. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  18. ^ "heinrich-xiii-van-adellijk-buitenbeentje-tot-putsch-prinz/10433556.html".
  19. ^ Weper, Voor abonnees Gepubliceerd op 21 05 24 Door Torsten; clipboard, Mikkel Skovbo URL copied to (21 May 2024). "Familiegeschiedenis: 'Prins' plande staatsgreep tegen Duitsland". Historia (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 July 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ a b c Baumgärtner, Maik; Diehl, Jörg; Höfner, Roman; Knobbe, Martin; Gebauer, Matthias; Großekemper, Tobias; Lehberger, Roman; Müller, Ann-Katrin; Röbel, Sven; Schmid, Fidelius; Wiedmann-Schmidt, Wolf (10 December 2022). "The Motley Crew that Wanted to Topple the German Government". Der Spiegel.
  21. ^ a b Oltermann, Philip (7 December 2022). "Key figures behind alleged far-right plot to overthrow the German government". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Der "verwirrte Mann", der das "Deutsche Reich" regieren wollte". Deutsche Welle (in German). 9 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  23. ^ Hoffer, Rewert (7 December 2022). "Rothschilds, Freimaurer, Deutschland GmbH: So tickt Heinrich XIII. Prinz Reuss". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  24. ^ a b c Solomon, Erika; Bennhold, Katrin (11 December 2022). "The Prince, the Plot and a Long-Lost Reich". The New York Times.
  25. ^ "Reußen-Gruft in Gera soll an historischen Ort zurück" [The Reussen crypt in Gera is to be returned to its historical location]. Die Welt (in German). 29 August 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  26. ^ "Dieser Mann sollte nach Umsturz Staatsoberhaupt von Deutschland werden" (in German). Focus Online Nachrichten. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  27. ^ a b c Marsh, Sarah (7 December 2022). "Heinrich XIII: the prince suspected of plotting to be German kaiser in coup". Reuters. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  28. ^ Smith, Patrick (8 December 2022). "Who is Heinrich XIII, the self-styled prince at the heart of the far-right coup plot in Germany?". NBC News. Retrieved 12 December 2022. He argued that his family was unjustly deposed and cited an antisemitic conspiracy theory about the role of Jewish bankers in the removal of European kingdoms.
  29. ^ Vonberg, Markus (9 December 2022). "Was den Putsch-Prinzen mit dem Hotzenwald verbinde" [What connects the putsch prince with the Hotzenwald]. Südkurier (in German). Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  30. ^ "Heinrich XIII. Prinz Reuss". Federation of World Peace and Love. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  31. ^ Hayn, Günter (29 August 2022). "Neues aus dem Oberland". Das Blättchen. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  32. ^ Hayn, Günter (7 December 2022). "Ins Wespennest gestochen: Reporter enthüllt Vorgänge in Reichsbürgerszene in Bad Lobenstein" [Poking the Wasp Nest: Reporter reveals events in Reichbürger scene in Bad Lobenstein]. Ostthüringer Zeitung. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  33. ^ a b Koity, Marius (25 August 2022). "Nach 'Affäre um Weigelt': Familie Reuß distanziert sich von Prinz Heinrich XIII. 'aufs Schärfste'" [After the 'Weigelt Affair': House of Reuß distances itself from Prince Heinrich XIII in the 'strongest possible terms']. Ostthüringer Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  34. ^ "Nach Vorfall in Bad Lobenstein: Bürgermeister bestreitet Angriff und lehnt Rücktritt ab" [After the incident in Bad Lobenstein: the mayor denies the attack and refuses to resign] (in German). Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  35. ^ "Faeser zu Übergriff auf Reporter: Gewalt ist kein Mittel" [Faeser on assault on reporter: Violence is not a method]. Die Zeit Online (in German). 22 August 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  36. ^ "The plotters who wanted to take over Germany". 10 December 2022.
  37. ^ Maier-Lorenz, Juliane (19 November 2018). "Fürst Reuß: "Es war klar, dass wir nach Thüringen zurückkommen"" (in German). Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  38. ^ Schuetze, Christopher F. (7 December 2022). "What Do We Know About Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuss?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  39. ^ Saric, Ivana (7 December 2022). "Germany arrests 25 people over far-right coup plot". Axios. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  40. ^ Thorwarth, Katja (10 December 2022). "Prinz Reuß von den "Reichsbürgern" bedient antisemitische Verschwörungserzählungen". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  41. ^ Connolly, Kate (7 December 2022). "German police raids target alleged far-right extremists seeking to overthrow state". The Guardian.
  42. ^ "Haus Reuß schockiert über Vorgänge um Heinrich XIII". Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (in German). 8 December 2022.
  43. ^ de Cristofaro, Pietro (21 May 2024). "Germany's Prince Reuss in court accused of leading 'Reichsbürger' coup plot that shocked the country". The Independent.
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