The Long Road: The Trial of Ex-RAF Member Daniela Klette
Raumpfleger cleans cell prior to Klett's bank robbery trial in Celle courts - Trial commencement for ex-RAF terrorist Klette in Celle city court.
Meet Daniela Klette, a former member of the infamous Baader-Meinhof gang, also known as the Red Army Faction (RAF). After four decades of living under the radar, Klette found herself back in the limelight under less-than-ideal circumstances. In 2024, she was apprehended in Berlin, living under a false identity for years.
Now, in Celle, Germany, Klette stands trial for her alleged involvement in a series of armed robberies that raked in an estimated 2.7 million euros—the proceeds of her life in hiding following the RAF's self-disbandment in 1998. The charges against her include 13 armed robberies and an attempted murder.
The trial has been steeped in controversy, with Klette asserting that the proceedings are politically motivated. She continues to vehemently denounce capitalism and patriarchy. The trial, undoubtedly, is under tight security given Klette's high-profile background and the long-standing associations she held with the RAF.
Klette's former comrades, Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg, are still at large. The trial, expected to last two grueling years, will rely on testimonies from 12 witnesses as it delves into Klette's past and the accusations that surround it.
However, Klette remains steadfast in her convictions, affirming her intent to keep fighting against what she perceives as oppressive systems, despite the impending legal proceedings. The trial is a testament to her enduring spirit and the echoes of a tumultuous past.
Daniela Klette, a former RAF member, is currently on trial in Celle, German, for allegedly participating in a series of armed robberies that began after the dissolution of the RAF in 1998.Her trial is heavily dependent on testimonies from 12 witnesses, and the proceedings are reportedly contentious, with Klette claiming they are politically motivated.Despite this, Burkhard Garweg, Klette's former RAF associate, remains at large and is not involved in the trial.
