• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defends trial of pro-Palestinian activists in southern Germany, emphasizing adherence to rule of law and international standards.
• The five activists, of various nationalities, are accused of breaking into an Israeli defense contractor's branch and causing property damage worth €1.04 million.
• The trial, held in Stammheim district known for Red Army Faction trials, has drawn international attention with accusations including membership in a criminal organization and spreading anti-Semitic narratives.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has defended a trial taking place in southern Germany of several pro-Palestinian activists.

"We have proceedings in Germany that are conducted in accordance with the rule of law," Merz said at a press conference in Dublin, following a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.

"Consular assistance is guaranteed; The accused are also represented by defence lawyers; And I have absolutely no doubt that, regardless of nationality, proceedings in Germany are conducted in line with internationally recognized standards," Merz said.

He added that the German judiciary is independent.

For several months five pro-Palestinian activists of Irish, British, Spanish and German nationality have been standing trial at the Stuttgart Regional Court. They are said to belong to the organization Palestine Action Germany, an offshoot of a British group which was banned in the UK in June 2025.

They are alleged to have broken into the Ulm branch of the Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems on September 8, 2025, together with six as yet unidentified individuals, and to have destroyed property worth around €1.04 million ($1.2 million).

The trial is taking place in the Stuttgart district of Stammheim, where members of the far-left terrorist group the Red Army Faction (RAF) were once put on trial, and it has attracted international attention.

The Public Prosecutor's Office accuses the defendants of membership of a criminal organization, criminal damage and trespass.

They are also accused of denying Israel's right to exist and deliberately spreading anti-Semitic narratives.

The defence has already rejected this allegation on several occasions and describes the action as emergency assistance to save human lives.