Five Stand Trial in Germany for Attacking Israeli Defence Company Office
Details of the Stuttgart Court Case
Overview of the Incident
FRANKFURT, April 27 (Reuters) - Five people appeared in court in Stuttgart on Monday on charges of causing about 1 million euros ($1.17 million) of damage at the German site of an Israeli defence company, the court said.
Prosecution's Allegations
Prosecutors say the defendants, aged 25 to 40, trespassed and shouted pro-Palestinian statements as they smashed office equipment, measuring devices and windows at the business in the southern city of Ulm, the court added.
Affiliation and Responsibility Claims
According to the charges, the defendants acted as members of the "Palestine Action Germany" organisation, which later published videos claiming responsibility for the attack.
Background and Context
Defendants' Identities
The defendants, who were not named, are Irish, British, Spanish and German, prosecutors have said.
Targeted Company and Response
News outlets including Stuttgarter Zeitung and broadcaster SWR said the vandalised office belonged to Israeli defence electronics firm Elbit Systems.
Elbit, which has an office in Ulm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The court did not identify Elbit as the target of the Ulm attack but said the company had been the target of attacks by "Palestine Action" groups in 2024.
Wider Context of Attacks
Attacks against Jewish people and targets have risen worldwide since war erupted in Gaza in October 2023, following an attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants and Israel's subsequent military offensive.
Court Proceedings
Security Measures
Monday's hearing took place in a high-security facility at the court, officials said.
Schedule of Hearings
The Stuttgart court has previously said that more than a dozen hearings have been scheduled in the case until the end of July.
Additional Information
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(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
