Former RAF Terrorist on Trial in Temporary Courtroom
Overindulgent Klette Procedure at Reithalle
Verden (dpa) - The trial of former RAF terrorist Daniela Klette in a converted riding hall on the outskirts of Verden has begun. Klette had strong words for the new courtroom on the first day, expressing disbelief at its grandeur. "I was prepared for quite a bit, but I couldn't have imagined this scale," she said.
The new premises for the Verden Regional Court cost around €3.6 million to rent and renovate. The riding yard's transformation is evident; security measures include fences, barbed wire, screens, cameras, and numerous police officers patrolling the grounds. The 800-square-meter courtroom retains some of its original woodwork and high ceilings.
In the converted riding hall, visitors tout the lingering odor of horses. An audience and press section, separated by a glass wall with a view of the proceedings, is provided. Klette and her lawyers sit at a long white table, with Klette occasionally waving to acquaintances in the audience. Unlike previous hearings, she is not separated from the audience by a glass wall.
The trial has been underway for approximately two months, with Klette facing charges for a series of attacks on supermarkets and cash transporters. The prosecution accuses her of attempted murder, illegal weapons possession, and various robberies. Along with her alleged accomplices Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg, she is said to have stolen over €2.7 million. Klette was arrested in Berlin last February, while Staub and Garweg remain at large.
The defense requested that future proceedings be held in the rooms of the Verden Regional Court, citing its central location and relative accessibility for co-plaintiffs, media, and the public. The defense argued that the building's size contributed to prejudice and gave the impression that Klette posed a direct threat.
The public prosecutor, however, took a different view. She expressed optimism regarding the potential addition of a second accused person and pointed out that an empty dock was already present in the courtroom. Some residents expressed concerns about the high costs associated with the temporary trial location, while others saw potential touristic benefits.
A scene of light-heartedness unfolded during the proceedings when a small, chirping chick caused a disturbance. Court officials brought the young bird outside, underscoring the unique nature of the courtroom. The converted riding hall, equipped with modern lighting and technology, hosts this high-profile trial.
The costs associated with converting a riding hall into a temporary courtroom have not been disclosed. Using a non-traditional venue for sensitive trials might be due to security concerns, space requirements, or the need to maintain public safety. The specific circumstances surrounding Klette's trial warrant such arrangements.
"The defense has requested that future proceedings be held in the central and relatively accessible rooms of the Verden Regional Court, contrasting the temporary location's size, which they suggest gives the impression of Klette posing a direct threat. Meanwhile, general-news and crime-and-justice reports have discussed the high costs associated with the converted riding hall, raising concerns among some residents."
"While the unusual venue for Klette's trial, a converted riding hall, may be due to security measures, space requirements, or the need to maintain public safety, its inclusion of modern lighting and technology has allowed for the smooth running of the high-profile trial, featuring in both general-news and crime-and-justice reports."
