In Stuttgart, Germany, the trial against five activists accused of attacking a branch of the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems in Ulm in September 2025 has begun. The first hearing, in a high-security court, was suspended minutes later due to defense objections regarding the lack of confidential communication with the defendants, who are of British, Irish, German, and Spanish nationalities.
Elbit Systems: defense technology under judicial scrutiny 🛡️
Elbit Systems, an Israeli firm specializing in defense and cybersecurity systems, operates in Ulm with surveillance and drone technologies. The activists, who face charges of trespassing, property destruction, and belonging to a criminal organization, sought to highlight their opposition to arms exports. The high-security court reflects the sensitivity of the case, which links military technology with political activism on German soil.
When the trial takes a coffee break before starting ☕
The defense requested more time to speak with their clients, and the court decided it was better to take a breather. So, while the defendants await instructions, lawyers discuss privacy, and judges review their schedules, the process seems more like a communication workshop than a trial. At least, no one argued about what brand of coffee to serve in the room.