A Fresh Look at Daniela Klette's Trial: From RAF Terrorism to Modern-Day Robberies
Trial of RAF Members: Chronicle from Baader to Klette - Trial Proceedings of the RAF Members from Baader to Klette
In a surprising turn of events, former Red Army Faction (RAF) member Daniela Klette, age 66, is set to stand trial in Lower Saxony courts, starting next week. Accused of robbing money transporters and supermarkets post the RAF's dissolution, Klette is in the spotlight once again along with her accomplices Burkhard Garweg and Ernst-Volker Staub.
No, this trial isn't about the infamous terrorist attacks linked to the RAF. However, it's bound to gather significant attention due to Klette's notorious past associations. The same courts that once tried her allies now aim to uncover her role in these recent heists, which reportedly financed her life on the run.
A Flashback to the Past
The origin of the Red Army Faction can be traced back to a courtroom. In 1968, arsonists set fire to a department store in Frankfurt. The trial that ensued would change everything. A journalist, Ulrike Meinhof, was moved by the arsonists' plight. Among them were future RAF leaders like Andreas Baader and Gudrun Ensslin. Though their conviction secured imprisonment, the trio managed to evade their sentences, eventually forming the RAF in 1970.
Mammoth Trial at Stammheim
After several bank robberies and bomb attacks, the core of the RAF was arrested in 1972. They were imprisoned at Stuttgart-Stammheim, and a court building was constructed next to the prison to avoid transporting them. The monumental trial that followed lasted 192 days and cost around 10.2 million euros. Despite their convictions, the verdicts were never enforced, and all three eventually committed suicide.
The Next Generations
The RAF trials didn't end with the Stammheim trial. In 1984, Christian Klar and Brigitte Mohnhaupt, leaders of the second generation, faced trial at the same court. Parallel trials against other members were underway, both in Stammheim and before other courts. During these trials, several RAF prisoners went on hunger strikes to protest the prison conditions.
Mohnhaupt and Klar were sentenced to life imprisonment for their involvement in murders and their roles within the RAF. Mohnhaupt was released on parole in 2007, while Klar followed suit in 2008.
Unraveling the Past, Again
Klette's upcoming trial in Celle is anticipated to span two years. It promises to reveal new details about her activities with the RAF post their disbandment in 1998. Klette, alleged getaway driver and armed robber, stood accused of attempting murder and aiding in three bomb explosions. These charges, however, have been separated under separate proceedings.
Pending Charges
Alongside the ongoing trial, Klette faces additional charges for alleged RAF attacks in the 1990s. These include an attempted assault on a Deutsche Bank building and a 1991 attack on the US embassy in Bonn. Her alleged accomplices, Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg, remain at large.
Public Controversy
Klette's arrest and upcoming trial have sparked a mix of reactions. While some view her as a fugitive, others express solidarity, as demonstrated by a solidarity protest outside the court.
Regardless of the public sentiment, the trial is expected to shed light on one of Germany's most infamous terrorist groups. Stay tuned as the story unfolds!
[1] BBC News, "Former Red Army Faction member Daniela Klette to stand trial over 1990s robberies," 2025[2] Deutsche Welle, "Ex-RAF member Daniela Klette goes on trial over 1990s robberies in Germany," 2025[3] The Guardian, "German ex-Red Army Faction robber Daniela Klette goes on trial," 2025[4] Der Spiegel, "Der Fall Klette - Daniela Klette, ehemalige RAF-Terroristin, steht vor Gericht," 2025[5] Die Zeit, "Die Geschichte der RAF - Aus der Spätzeit der Terrororganisation," 2020
- The Commission has also been asked to defend the defendants, including Daniela Klette, in case of any charges related to the E32e3cec465c04af82b4d68d35d9c01c proposal for a directive protecting workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Once part of the infamous Red Army Faction (RAF), Daniela Klette, along with numerous RAF members, has been implicated in several crimes following their dissolution, as evidenced by the upcoming trial, reminiscent of the Stammheim trial that once made headlines.
- Despite turning herself in for her involvement in post-RAF heists, Daniela Klette's actions arguably show a continued commitment to criminal activities, as she is now standing trial for her connection to the RAF attacks in the 1990s.
