In a legal move that marks the culmination of a decades-long manhunt, a retired member of the notorious far-left Red Army Faction (RAF), Daniela Klette, is on trial for various serious charges. Klette was apprehended in Berlin last year after leading a clandestine existence for over three decades, evading authorities and living under the alias Claudia Ivone. As the trial commenced near Hanover, Germany, the 66-year-old faces accusations of attempted murder, the unlawful possession of firearms, and aggravated robbery. Her alleged crimes were carried out alongside two accomplices, Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg, who remain at large.

The RAF, known for its violent campaign that lasted into the 1990s and for which Klette is accused of participating in armed robberies totaling 2.7 million euros ($2.9m), proved fatal for at least 30 individuals. Prosecutors highlight the group’s elaborate tactics, including the use of false identities, car rentals, and arson. Among the charges Klette is facing is attempted murder arising from a robbery in 2015, during which she brandished a dummy bazooka.

Authorities recovered weapons, explosives, and significant amounts of cash upon raiding Klette’s apartment, indicating her preparedness to avoid capture. This operation resulted from a public tip and warranted security measures befitting the seriousness of her alleged crimes. The trial is set to last approximately two years.

Outside of the court, solidarity demonstrations occurred to support Klette and other political prisoners, displaying banners that reflect a broader ideological stance against state actions and a defense of revolutionary history.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/25/germany-launches-trial-of-former-baader-meinhof-gang-member?traffic_source=rss