Five charged over second far-right plot to ‘overthrow German government’

Alleged plan to abduct health minister revealed six weeks after German aristocrat accused of separate coup attempt

Five Germans have been charged with treason over an alleged far-right plot to overthrow the government that included plans to abduct the health minister, prosecutors have announced.

The four men and a woman were arrested in recent months over the plot, with the health minister, Karl Lauterbach – unpopular among far-right groups because of anti-Covid measures – confirming he was targeted.