Five jailed for far-right plot to overthrow German government

Extremists linked to Reichsburger movement also planned to kidnap health minister and create conditions for civil war

A German court has jailed five members of an extremist group linked to the Reichsburger (Reich Citizens) movement for plotting a coup and to kidnap the health minister.

The defendants, four men, aged 46 to 58, and a 77-year-old woman, who belonged to the self-styled United Patriots" group, were sentenced to between five years and nine months and eight years' jail by the Koblenz higher regional court on Thursday.