In a historic legal context, the trial of Daniela Klette, an alleged former member of the notorious far-left terrorist group known as the Red Army Faction (RAF), is set to commence on March 26, 2025, in Celle, Germany. Klette, now 66 years old, faces charges of robbery and attempted murder connected to a series of heists conducted between 1999 and 2016, which have kept the southern regions of Germany on high alert for nearly two decades. While the RAF was disbanded in 1998, Klette's alleged crimes occurred after the group's dissolution, raising questions about her motivations during a time of relative quiet for the organization.
The Red Army Faction, known for terrorizing West Germany with a spree of violence from the 1970s onward, was implicated in over 30 murders and numerous attacks against state officials, business leaders, and law enforcement. Among its most notorious actions was the kidnapping and eventual murder of prominent figures like German Attorney General Siegfried Buback, which underscored the chaos the RAF unleashed on the nation. Klette’s trial, however, focuses not on murder, but on 13 counts of robbery, primarily targeting armored vehicles and supermarkets with alleged accomplices who remain at large.
Klette’s arrest in Berlin in February 2024 came after a lengthy period of living under a false identity in the capital's Kreuzberg district, evading authorities since she went underground in 1989. During her years of hiding, she reportedly used several aliases, including Claudia Bernadi and Claudia Schmidt Oliviera. Evidence collected during her arrest revealed an arsenal that included a rifle, a machine gun, a mock grenade, valuable gold, and significant amounts of cash—around 240,000 euros—suggesting not only a life of crime but also meticulous planning over many years.
The forthcoming trial has garnered significant attention due to its implications for understanding both Klette's past affiliations with the RAF and the effectiveness of Germany's current judicial system in dealing with former terrorists. The reason for the increased security measures taken for the trial—initially scheduled for the Verden Regional Court—has been shifted to the Higher Regional Court in Celle because the venue in Verden could not guarantee sufficient security for such a high-profile case. This move also reflects ongoing concerns surrounding the potential for violence, reminiscent of the RAF's history.
Klette's alleged involvement with her co-defendants, Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg, revolves around their claims of conducting robberies to fund their lives after their terrorist activities ceased, as indicated by the prosecution's arguments. However, Klette’s defense is set to claim that they did not engage in these crimes to fund terrorism but rather to sustain their lives, marking a key distinction in the narrative they wish to present to the court.
The incidents in question date back as far as 1999 and include a botched robbery on June 6, 2015, when shots were fired at an armored vehicle in Stuhr near Bremen. Prosecutors allege that during this incident, Klette brandished a non-functioning anti-tank rocket while her partners attempted to coerce the armored transport's occupants to exit the vehicle. In this chaotic moment, Garweg reportedly fired at the armored glass from a close distance, demonstrating an apparent intent to kill or severely injure the occupants.
The legal proceedings are expected to be long and complex, with the trial anticipated to last up to two years. The prosecution's case spans over 600 pages, and already discussions among judges during preliminary hearings suggest that Klette’s claims about her exit from the attempted murder faces scrutiny. The court initially ruled that there was not an urgent incrimination regarding the attempted murder, but this aspect will be rigorously debated as the trial unfolds. Klette's defense is likely to argue that any intent to commit murder was absent, which could be pivotal in determining her fate.
Another notable issue addressed in the trial will be the historical context of the RAF's legacy, as the group, despite its demise in the late 1990s, still has sympathizers within segments of German society. Klette's defense asserts that the political motivations behind her actions need to be considered, as she has not distanced herself from the beliefs that they once shared, affirming a contentious dialogue on how individual actions should be contextualized against the broader political landscape.
Given Klette's comments reflecting on the years spent avoiding incarceration, she expressed feelings of being unjustly treated: an attitude evident in a letter she wrote, where she described her situation as a “witch hunt.” Such sentiments will likely play a role in shaping the public's perception and potentially influencing the proceedings as supporters are expected to attend the trial.
With the trial about to take place, all eyes will be on both the legal outcomes for Klette and the implications for how Germany confronts its past regarding the RAF. Klette's sustained period in hiding and subsequent arrest echo a narrative that speaks of unresolved historical injustices and questions over public safety. As the proceedings unfold, the court's handling of this case will be a defining moment for how the state reconciles with its shadowy history while addressing current security threats.
