BERLIN—A landmark trial began in Germany on Tuesday, targeting four men alleged to be members of the militant group Hamas. The individuals face accusations of orchestrating the establishment of weapon caches across Europe. The German prosecutor has charged them with participation in a foreign terrorist organization, marking a pioneering legal confrontation of this nature within the country.
“For the first time in Germany, individuals are confronted with charges of involvement as members of the foreign terrorist group Hamas,” stated prosecutor Jochen Weingarten. The charges, filed last year, detail the suspects’ alleged involvement in locating and creating weapons storage sites dating back several years. These depots allegedly aimed to facilitate attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets across Europe.
Prosecutors claim that the firearms and ammunition were strategically positioned around Europe to support a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This assault tragically led to the death of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken. In response, Israel initiated an extensive air and ground offensive in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the conflict has resulted in over 48,200 Palestinian casualties, with a significant portion being women and children. The ministry’s data does not specify between combatants and civilian casualties.
Furthermore, a plot targeting the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, the vicinity of Tempelhof Airport, and the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany had been considered by Hamas, according to authorities. In December 2023, the suspects named Abdelhamid Al A., Mohamed B., Nazih R., and Ibrahim El-R. were apprehended. German regulations ensnaring privacy laws led prosecutors to identify the accused using only their first name and initial.
Prosecutors contend that these individuals held significant roles within the organization. Allegations include establishing a weapons depot in Bulgaria in 2019 and another in Denmark later that year. Efforts to secure a location in Poland were reportedly unsuccessful.
