A German court has sentenced members of the "Vereinte Patrioten" group to prison for plotting to overthrow the government and kidnap Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.

The group, consisting of four men and a 77-year-old woman, planned to cause chaos by triggering a nationwide blackout and reinstating the 1871 imperial constitution.

The ringleaders received sentences ranging from nearly six to eight years, while another member was sentenced to two years and ten months.

The group’s plans included violent attacks and bizarre schemes, such as using a TV actor to announce the government’s fall.

The trial, which began in May 2023, involved extensive evidence and testimony, including from undercover agents.

The verdicts are not yet final, as appeals may follow.