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Red Army Faction Member on Trial After Decades in Hiding
Arrest and Charges
Daniela Klette, a former alleged member of the Red Army Faction (RAF), went on trial on Tuesday after evading authorities for over 30 years. Klette, who was arrested in Berlin in February 2024, faces charges of attempted murder, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. A spokesperson for the court in Celle, northern Germany, confirmed that she could face life in prison if convicted.
Defense Challenges Charges
Klette’s lawyer, Lukas Theune, has questioned the charges, particularly those related to the period following the RAF’s formal dissolution in 1998. Theune previously argued during a pretrial hearing that the claim Klette deliberately shot at a money transport driver had been disproven by the investigation.
Background of the Red Army Faction
The Red Army Faction emerged from Germany’s anti-Vietnam War protests and carried out a series of violent attacks in the 1970s and 1980s. The group was responsible for the deaths of approximately 30 people, including German politicians, businessmen, and U.S. soldiers. In its early years, the RAF was also known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang, named after two of its founders.
Robbery Spree After the RAF’s Dissolution
Despite the RAF formally disbanding, prosecutors accuse Klette of participating in a string of robberies with two accomplices—Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg—between 1999 and 2016. These raids targeted money transport vehicles and supermarkets, reportedly resulting in the theft of around 2.7 million euros ($2.9 million). Police are still searching for Staub and Garweg, who face the same charges as Klette.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
One of the key charges against Klette involves an attempted murder case linked to an attack on a money transport vehicle in the town of Stuhr. Prosecutors allege that the suspects shot at the armored van’s windows, endangering its occupants.
Court Proceedings and Political Context
The trial began with Klette consulting with her lawyer behind armored glass for protection. The court spokesperson emphasized that Klette’s political background would not influence the legal proceedings, focusing solely on the alleged crimes.
The case marks a significant chapter in Germany’s history, revisiting the legacy of the Red Army Faction and the impact of its actions decades later.
“Red Army Faction Member on Trial After Decades in Hiding” “Red Army Faction Member on Trial After Decades in Hiding” “Red Army Faction Member on Trial After Decades in Hiding”