Germany's Most Wanted Woman Jailed After Decades on the Run

Daniela Klette, a figure who topped Germany's most-wanted list for years, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, bringing a dramatic end to her decades-long evasion of justice. Klette was a key member of a radical left-wing group responsible for a string of violent bank robberies in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Her capture followed a lengthy investigation, and her sentencing highlights the long reach of the law. For years, Klette lived under an assumed identity in Berlin, blending into a bohemian neighborhood. Friends and neighbors knew her as a quiet, silver-haired woman who owned a dog and participated in a local capoeira dance group, a stark contrast to her past as a fugitive.

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Dancer, dog owner, bank robber.

The case underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down individuals who manage to disappear for extended periods. Klette's sentencing marks a significant closure for the investigations into the group's activities and serves as a reminder of the persistent efforts to bring fugitives to justice.

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As our Berlin correspondent, Deborah Cole, explains, the silver-haired 67-year-old had spent years living in the same apartment in a bohemian neighbourhood of West Berlin. She led an ordinary life: she owned a dog, went shopping and pursued an unusual hobby as an active member of a local capoeira dance group.