Five activists face trial in Germany over attack on Israeli arms factory

Five activists went on trial in Stuttgart on April 27 for attacking a German office of Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms manufacturer. The defendants hold citizenship from the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Spain. They have been held in separate prisons since their arrest on September 8, 2025.

Prosecutors say the five broke into the Elbit Systems subsidiary in the southern city of Ulm in September 2025. Online videos appear to show them damaging computers and other equipment, and spray-painting messages including "baby killers" on walls. According to the defense, the activists remained at the site and waited for police to arrive and arrest them.

The five face charges of trespass, destruction of property, membership of a criminal organization, and use of symbols of terrorist organizations. If found guilty, they could serve several years in prison. The trial is being held in a high-security courtroom at Stammheim prison, the same venue where a trial of left-wing RAF terrorists took place in the 1970s.

Elbit Systems is one of Israel's largest arms manufacturers, with subsidiary factories in several countries. The company makes drones, command-and-control systems, and telecommunications equipment for multiple militaries, including the German Bundeswehr. Germany is Israel's second-biggest arms supplier.

The trial collapsed within minutes when the 11 defense lawyers refused to proceed. A glass separator had been placed between the defendants and their attorneys, preventing direct contact and confidential conversation. "At one point I had to shout over the glass," said Mathes Breuer, defense attorney for defendant Leandra R. "There was no chance we could have a conversation without surveillance." The judge adjourned the proceedings after a two-hour break, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 11.

Prosecutors have charged the five under Section 129 of the German Criminal Code, which forbids membership in criminal organizations. They argue that the defendants belong to "Palestine Action Germany," which courts have deemed a criminal organization. The defense disputes this, saying prosecutors have not proved the group exists as a formal organization. Amnesty International Germany has criticized the use of this section, with spokesperson Paula Zimmermann telling DW: "This carries the risk of associating legitimate civic engagement with organized crime."

The defense plans to argue that the activists were attempting to stop genocide in Gaza through "assistance in self-defense." Defense attorney Breuer told DW that the Elbit facility in Ulm manufactures parts for drones and tanks sold to Israel, not just telecommunications equipment for the German military as media reports have stated. "We have proof that there are parts from Ulm being delivered to Elbit facilities in Israel — technical components for tanks and drones," Breuer said. He added that this evidence would be presented during the trial.

The five defendants have been held in pretrial detention for over seven months. Their families say the detention conditions are unusually strict. The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court defended the extended detention, citing "a risk of flight, which would not be sufficiently mitigated even by the posting of bail." The court also said that visits and telecommunications require authorization and are monitored. However, the Stuttgart prosecutor stated that no special conditions were requested and that these restrictions are standard under German criminal procedure law.

Josie, the partner of defendant Vi K., spoke outside the courtroom on April 27, saying the state's response has been disproportionate. "These are five activists who took this action only targeting physical property. They did not attempt to harm anyone, they are not a threat to society, they do not deserve to be in a glass separator." Josie also noted that all five have studies, work, or other commitments in Berlin and have no reason to flee. "They were ready to take responsibility for their actions the whole time," Josie said.

The International Court of Justice has been investigating Israel's conduct in Gaza since South Africa launched a case at the UN in December 2023, alleging that it amounts to genocide. Israel's conduct in the war has been found by many international rights organizations and a United Nations commission to constitute genocide. Israel denies these allegations.