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Charges and controversy in Stuttgart court
Five activists from the UK, Spain, Ireland, and Germany face trial in Stuttgart for allegedly forming a criminal organization and causing €1 million in damage at an Israeli defense firm's Ulm facility. The case has sparked national debate over Germany's handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
Background of the case
The defendants, known as the Ulm 5, were arrested in September after breaking into an Elbit Systems site in Ulm. Elbit, one of Israel's largest arms manufacturers, operates globally, including in the UK. The activists livestreamed their actions, showing them spray-painting "Baby Killers" on walls and smashing equipment. Prosecutors allege they destroyed screens, computers, and sensitive electronic devices.
They also face charges for displaying Hamas symbols, which Germany classifies as terrorist imagery. The activists deny any violent intent, arguing their actions were political protest.
Legal clash over criminal organization charges
Prosecutors argue that Palestine Action Germany, the group linked to the defendants, qualifies as a criminal organization under German law. They cite Section 129 of the Criminal Code, which has drawn criticism for its expanding use against protest movements, including climate activists. A conviction could set a precedent for future cases.
"This case risks weaponizing laws meant for organized crime against political dissent,"
Yasmin Khuder, Amnesty International
Defense lawyers counter that the charges are disproportionate, emphasizing that the primary offense was property damage. They claim the activists' right to a fair trial is being violated, a claim prosecutors reject.
Detention conditions under scrutiny
The defendants have been held in pre-trial detention for eight months at Stuttgart's high-security Stammheim prison, a site historically associated with the 1970s trial of the Red Army Faction. Families and human rights groups allege harsh conditions, including 22-hour solitary confinement. The prosecution insists the measures comply with standard German legal procedures.
Nicky Robertson, mother of British defendant Hannah Hailu, described her daughter's court appearances in handcuffs as "outrageous." The UK Embassy in Berlin confirmed it is assisting two British nationals in the case.
Germany's historical lens on Israel
Analysts attribute Germany's stringent response to its post-Holocaust commitment to Israel's security. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel's declaration that Israeli security is Germany's "reason of state" underscores this policy. Joel Crisetig of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project notes that pro-Palestinian activism in Germany is far less visible than in the UK or France.
"Property destruction at an Israeli firm shocks the German public, leading authorities to treat such cases with the gravity of terrorism,"
Joel Crisetig, conflict analyst
Germany has banned Hamas slogans and closely monitors pro-Palestinian protests but has not designated Palestine Action as a terrorist group, unlike the UK, where the group was proscribed in 2025.
Parallels to UK case
The Ulm trial follows a recent UK conviction of four Palestine Action activists for damaging an Elbit factory near Bristol. While the UK case focused on property damage, one defendant was also found guilty of grievous bodily harm. The UK's terrorist designation of Palestine Action remains contested after a February High Court ruling deemed it unlawful.
Khuder emphasized that the UK ban applies only domestically, warning against its influence on German proceedings.
Trial's chaotic opening and next steps
The trial began in late April amid protests, with supporters chanting "Free Palestine" and defense lawyers refusing to sit while their clients appeared behind glass. If convicted, the Ulm 5 could face up to five years in prison. The case continues to fuel discussions on protest rights, historical memory, and Germany's legal boundaries.
