German Chancellor Defends Rule of Law in Trial of Pro-Palestine Activists
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Official statement
In the courts
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended the rule of law in a trial against pro-Palestine activists in Stuttgart-Stammheim.
- Five activists face charges including property damage and belonging to a criminal organization for allegedly destroying equipment at an Israeli defense company.
- Critics have raised concerns about the trial's location and the defendants' treatment, while the defense argues their actions were a form of emergency aid.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has firmly rejected accusations that a trial against pro-Palestine activists in Stuttgart-Stammheim is a show trial, asserting the integrity of German legal proceedings. "We have legal proceedings in Germany, consular support is ensured, the accused also have defense lawyers at their disposal, and I have absolutely no doubt that regardless of nationality, legal proceedings in Germany are conducted according to internationally valid standards," Merz stated during a press conference in Dublin.
The trial involves five activists of Irish, British, Spanish, and German nationality who are accused of breaking into the Ulm branch of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems on September 8, 2025. They allegedly destroyed inventory valued at approximately 1.04 million euros. The proceedings are taking place in Stuttgart-Stammheim, a location historically associated with trials of the far-left terrorist group Red Army Faction (RAF).
We have legal proceedings in Germany, consular support is ensured, the accused also have defense lawyers at their disposal, and I have absolutely no doubt that regardless of nationality, legal proceedings in Germany are conducted according to internationally valid standards.
International attention has focused on the case, with climate activist Greta Thunberg also attending as an observer. Criticisms have been raised regarding aspects of the trial, such as the defendants being required to sit behind a glass partition during hearings. The prosecution charges the defendants with membership in a criminal organization, property damage, and trespassing. Additionally, the indictment accuses the group of denying Israel's right to exist and deliberately spreading antisemitic narratives.
The defense has repeatedly refuted these claims, characterizing the activists' actions as a necessary measure to save lives. The defendants are reportedly affiliated with "Palestine Action Germany," a branch of the British organization "Palestine Action Global," which was banned in the UK in June 2025. Merz emphasized that the German judiciary operates independently.
The German judiciary is independent.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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