Four suspected Hamas members accused of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe went on trial in Berlin on Tuesday, marking the first court case against members of the Islamist militant group in Germany, prosecutors said.
The defendants were arrested in late 2023 on suspicion of plotting attacks, according to German prosecutors.
“For the first time in Germany, suspects are facing charges of having participated as members of the foreign terrorist organization Hamas,” prosecutor Jochen Weingarten told Reuters.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants sought to locate a secret weapons depot in Poland for potential attacks while acting under orders from the deputy commander of Hamas’ Qassam Brigades in Lebanon.
According to previous statements from prosecutors, the defendants are also accused of operating additional weapons caches in Europe.
