The families and lawyers of five pro-Palestine activist defendants facing trial in a German court have denounced the proceedings as a “sham trial” and called for the recusal of the presiding judge.
The activists, who are from Germany, Spain, Ireland and the UK, were arrested on 8 September following the alleged break-in to the premises of Elbit Systems in the southwestern German city of Ulm.
The group - Daniel Tatlow-Devally, Zo Hailu, Crow Tricks, Vi Kovarbasic and Leandra Rollo - are accused of damaging the building's glass facade and smashing office equipment, including computers, screens and telephones.
In addition to charges of trespassing and damage to property, the five are accused of "membership of a criminal organisation", namely Palestine Action Germany, under Section 129 of the German penal code.
The legislation is typically used to target organised crime networks and carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
