Daniela Klette, a former member of the Red Army Faction (RAF), appeared in a high-security courtroom in Celle as her trial commenced, facing serious charges including attempted murder and multiple counts of robbery.

At 66 years old, Klette, who spent decades in hiding, is accused of involvement in a series of criminal activities that occurred between 1999 and 2016. During the initial day of her trial, Klette was calm and dressed in a simple black sweater, greeting her legal team in the designated enclosure for defendants involved in terrorism-related cases.

The trial is being conducted at the Higher Regional Court of Celle for security reasons.

Klette stands accused of participating in 13 robbery incidents across German states, including Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein.

Prosecutors allege that these robberies were executed with thorough planning, including false identities for vehicle rentals and extensive reconnaissance of locations, with detailed sketches reportedly created by Klette and her accomplices.

Throughout the criminal operations, which allegedly netted over 2.7 million euros in stolen assets, Klette and her co-defendants used disguises and threatened victims with various weapons, including handguns and a realistic-looking rocket launcher.

The prosecution outlined Klette’s associations with co-defendants Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg, both of whom remain at large, labeling the trio as members of a criminal gang.

Amidst the proceedings, approximately 40 supporters demonstrated outside the courtroom, and Klette expressed gratitude to her backers during her address to the court.

The prosecution's case was presented by two state attorneys over a lengthy session, highlighting Klette’s alleged criminal history and motivations driven by greed.

Klette’s defense strategy emerged early in the trial, with her attorneys contesting the portrayal of Klette as a ruthless criminal, arguing that the RAF had disbanded by 1998 and that current narratives are unjustly framed against her.

The defense emphasized the importance of re-evaluating Klette’s intentions, asserting that claims about her endangering lives during robberies are exaggerated.

Attorney Ulrich von Klinggräff articulated the defense's view that the prosecution’s framework misrepresents Klette’s actions.

Legal representatives are also addressing the circumstances surrounding Klette’s arrest on February 26, 2024, in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, where authorities discovered firearms and military-grade weapons at her residence, known to neighbors under the name Claudia.

Klette allegedly communicated with law enforcement via text rather than resorting to violence when approached by police.

As the trial unfolds, Klette's defense aims to challenge the overarching narratives surrounding her actions, framing her case within the broader context of Germany’s historical complexities and ongoing sociopolitical discussions.