Self-styled 'king of Germany' goes on trial accused of heading criminal group

A self-declared "king" of Germany has gone on trial in Düsseldorf accused of leading a criminal organisation along with three other men described as his senior "subjects".

Peter Fitzek, who calls himself Peter the First, is a member of a banned Reichsbürger (Citizens of the Reich) group that sought to set up a "Kingdom of Germany" (KRD).

Reichsbürger are defined by German intelligence agencies as conspiracy theorists who reject the existence and legitimacy of the post-war German state.

The defendants are accused of plotting against Germany by seeking to establish the structures of an alternative state, including a banking and insurance system and currency.