A German court has sentenced Daniela Klette, a former member of the Red Army Faction (RAF), to 13 years in prison for a series of armed robberies committed between 1999 and 2016. Klette, 67, was arrested in February 2024 after evading authorities for more than 30 years.
Why it matters: Klette's case highlights the legacy of the RAF, a group responsible for numerous violent crimes in Germany. Her trial and sentencing may reignite discussions on left-wing extremism and the historical impact of the RAF.
Klette was convicted by the Verden regional court for six counts of aggravated robbery, kidnapping for ransom, and possession of military weapons.
The court found that Klette and her accomplices, Burkhard Garweg and Ernst-Volker Staub, targeted supermarkets and cash transporters to fund their lives underground.
Supporters of Klette protested in court, chanting "freedom for Daniela" as the verdict was read.
Driving the news: Klette was one of the last members of the RAF still on the run before her capture. She was living under an assumed name in Berlin, where she led a seemingly normal life for decades.
Her arrest followed a tip-off and the use of AI facial recognition technology by an investigative journalist, leading to her identification from photos taken at a capoeira studio.
During her trial, Klette maintained that she had not participated in the robberies, arguing that her membership in the RAF could not be prosecuted due to the statute of limitations.
State of play: Klette's trial lasted 14 months and was held under tight security due to the potential for unrest among her supporters.
Prosecutors alleged that Klette was involved in a division of labor with her accomplices, which included being the getaway driver during the robberies.
Authorities reported that the total value of the stolen goods from the robberies amounted to over €2.4 million ($2.8 million).
Following her arrest, police found a cache of weapons, including a Kalashnikov assault rifle, fake identification documents, wigs, and approximately €240,000 in cash in her apartment.
The big picture: The RAF, also known as the Baader-Meinhof Group, was active from the 1970s to the 1990s, carrying out a campaign of violence against what they perceived as a fascist state.
The group is believed to have been responsible for at least 34 deaths, including those of police officers and business leaders.
After its dissolution in 1998, remaining members like Klette transitioned into ordinary criminal activities to evade capture.
Klette's actions were framed as part of a broader struggle against capitalism and imperialism, which she articulated during her trial.
What they're saying: Klette's defense team argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove her direct involvement in the robberies.
“There is no evidence that our client was directly involved in any of the crimes,” her attorney claimed, emphasizing the lack of proof linking her to the robberies.
In court, Klette expressed regret for the trauma caused to victims, stating, "Cash register staff and money couriers are the proletariat, not enemies."
By the numbers: Klette's criminal activities spanned several years and involved substantial sums of money.
She was convicted for robberies that occurred from 1999 to 2016, after the RAF had disbanded.
The total haul from these robberies is estimated at €2.4 million ($2.8 million).
Klette lived under the alias "Claudia Ivone" for over 30 years before her capture.
What's next: Klette faces additional charges related to politically motivated attacks from the 1990s, including a failed bombing at a Deutsche Bank office and a shooting at the US embassy in Bonn.
Prosecutors have indicated these charges will be handled in separate proceedings in Frankfurt.
Her defense team plans to appeal the current verdict, arguing the trial was politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence.
Garweg and Staub, Klette's alleged accomplices, remain at large, with authorities continuing to search for them.