Trial of Five Palestine Action Activists Begins in Germany Over Elbit Systems Break-in

Five activists from the British group Palestine Action are on trial in Germany for breaking into the Ulm offices of Elbit Systems, Israel's largest private arms company, on the night of September 8, 2025. The activists, who are based in Berlin, documented themselves damaging property, spray-painting slogans and chanting inside the German headquarters of the company.

Hearings in the case began on April 27 at the high-security Stuttgart-Stammheim prison near Stuttgart. Supporters of the defendants have rallied outside the court. The proceedings have been marked by walkouts, and the indictment has yet to be read in full.

Criticism has also been directed at the decision to hold the trial inside the prison facility.

The high-security Stuttgart-Stammheim prison has been selected as the location for the hearings. This choice has drawn ire from those connected to the case. As of May 13, 2026, the core elements of the indictment have still not been formally presented in open court.

The activists are charged in connection with the break-in and related actions at the Elbit Systems site in Ulm last fall. Palestine Action is a group known for pro-Palestinian activism focused on arms manufacturers. The trial is continuing amid the disruptions.

No further details on the specific charges or expected timeline for completion have been released by court officials.