The use of force during the trial of pro-Palestine activists in Germany has come under scrutiny after defendants were forcibly carried into the court in handcuffs and people attending have been subjected to “violent body searches”.
Daniel Tatlow-Devally, Zo Hailu, Crow Tricks, Vi Kovarbasic and Leandra Rollo, who are from Germany, Spain, Ireland and the UK, were arrested on 8 September following an alleged break-in to the premises of Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems in the southwestern German city of Ulm.
Known as the “Ulm Five”, the group is 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.
