Plot of "Prince Heinrich XIII" to dethrone German government disclosed

Twenty-five people have been detained in a series of raids on suspected far-right extremists across Germany, according to reports.

Thousands of police conducted searches in 11 of Germany’s 16 states against members of the so-called Reich Citizens movement – thought to be led by a self-declared prince called Heinrich XIII, Metro reports.

Der Spiegel reports Heinrich XIII is a well-known 71-year-old member of a minor German noble family.

It is believed the group reject Germany’s post-war constitution and planned to install the ‘prince’ as the country’s new leader.

Another alleged ringleader is a 69-year-old former paratrooper named only as Ruediger, in line with German privacy rules.

Prosecutors say Heinrich XIII contacted Russian officials with the aim of negotiating a new order in Germany once the government was overthrown.

It is alleged he was assisted in these talks by a Russian woman called Vitalia B.

Locations searched include the barracks of Germany’s special forces unit KSK in the southwestern town of Calw, reports say.

The unit has previously been scrutinised over alleged far-right involvement by some soldiers.

One person has also been arrested in the Austrian town of Kitzbuehel and another in the Italian city of Perugia.