Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsh is officially out of Demons & Wizards. Hansi made the announcement today on his social media.
The announcement comes two weeks after Schaffer was arrested for his involvement in the riots at the Capitol building.
Earlier today, Feb. 1st, Hansi wrote: "I told Jon and Century Mediaon Monday that I was leaving the Demons & Wizards project with immediate effect. My collaboration with Jon in Demons & Wizards is over."
As of Friday, Schaffer was still being held at Marion County Jail in Indiana. Schaffer is scheduled to be extradited to Washington, D.C..
Shortly after news of Schaffer's involvement in the Capitol insurrection, Kürsch said in a statement he is saddened by what happened on January 6, but will not be commenting further on the situation at the moment.
The statement read: "We are deeply shocked and our thoughts are with the relatives of the deceased. We expressly distance ourselves from any kind of violence irrespective if applied against institutions or persons. The incidents will be thoroughly investigated and the responsibles will be brought to justice. We ask for your understanding that in view of the hourly news situation we will not make any further comments at present."
Schaffer was arrested in Hamilton County, charged for his role in the Capitol insurrection on January 6. Schaffer turned himself into authorities on January 17th and is currently in Marion County Jail. WISH-TV reports U.S. government officials not to grant Schaffer bail.
The FBI has charged him with six different charges, one of which accuses him of spraying Capitol police with bear spray, a more potent form of pepper spray. Schaffer is not guaranteed bail, and must prove that he is not a threat to himself or the public to be granted so. Schaffer is dealing with the following charges:
- Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority
- Disrupting the Orderly Conduct of Government Business
- Knowingly Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence Against any Person or Property in any Restricted Building or Grounds
- Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building
- Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence in a Capitol Building
- Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
Schaffer was wearing an Oath Keepers hat during the raid as is believed to be a member of the group.
A report from The New York Times today described the group as a "far-right militia-style organization founded by military and law enforcement veterans that professes to believe that a shadowy globalist cabal is plotting to take away Americans’ rights."
