A German court is continuing the trial of five pro-Palestinian activists accused of attacking the German branch of Elbit Systems in the southern German city of Ulm.
On the third day of proceedings, several defendants were forcibly brought into the courtroom after refusing to enter voluntarily, according to their lawyers.
Defence attorneys said the defendants objected to being seated behind security glass and were therefore carried into the courtroom by security personnel. One defendant entered in a wheelchair, while four others were carried by officers holding their arms and legs, prompting applause from some audience members.
The session began after a delay of around 90 minutes.
Shortly after proceedings resumed, the court adjourned again following a request by a defence lawyer to partially exclude the public during the reading of the indictment.
The lawyer argued that disclosure of details relating to the alleged motives behind the attack could damage her client’s reputation and endanger his safety while in pretrial detention. The court rejected the request.
The five defendants — who reportedly hold Irish, British, Spanish and German citizenship — are accused of breaking into the Ulm facilities of Elbit Systems and causing extensive damage estimated at around one million euros.
They face charges including property damage and membership in a criminal organisation.
According to prosecutors, the targeted facility develops military communications technologies for the Israeli defence sector.
