Irish Activist Detained in Germany Faces Trial Over Arms Factory Protest
Daniel Tatlow-Devally, an Irish citizen, is set to stand trial in Stuttgart, Germany, next month alongside four other activists from the UK, Germany, and Spain. The group is accused of trespassing, causing damage to property, and membership of a criminal organization following a break-in at a subsidiary of Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems in Ulm, Germany, on September 8th.
Concerns Over Pre-Trial Detention
Tatlow-Devally, who uses they/them pronouns, has been held on remand for approximately six months, experiencing a 23-hour solitary lockdown with limited family visits – just 30 minutes every fortnight. In letters to loved ones, they have expressed concerns about the psychological impact of the prolonged pre-trial detention and the potential difficulty of readjusting to freedom. “I wonder about all the ways I am already used to having my freedom limited and there is honestly a part of me that is worried I will need time to get used to being free again, that it won’t come back naturally,” Tatlow-Devally wrote in a letter read by their sister, Clara, at a gathering in Berlin.
Family Alleges Politicized Treatment
Tatlow-Devally’s family has voiced strong criticism of the German authorities, alleging chicanery, intimidatory practices, and a politicized approach to the case. They claim that, initially, their son was detained for 30 hours and denied access to legal counsel despite repeated requests. However, the federal prosecutor in Stuttgart disputes the claim regarding legal access, stating Tatlow-Devally was informed of their rights in English upon arrest but initially declined a public defender. Mimi Tatlow-Devally, Daniel’s mother, fears “a show trial” given the conditions of her son’s detention, including a month passing before the family was informed of his whereabouts.
Defense Claims Legitimate Protest
Lawyers representing Tatlow-Devally and the other defendants argue their clients are human rights defenders and that their actions were aimed at disrupting the production of components used by the Israel Defense Forces. They are seeking an investigation into Elbit Systems Deutschland’s potential involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza. Records show that Elbit Systems Deutschland shipped military goods, including “target acquisition” systems, to its Israeli sister companies at least seven times this year.
Trial Venue and Legal Challenges
The trial is scheduled to accept place in a high-security courtroom at the Stammheim complex, historically associated with trials of members of the Red Army Faction. Defense lawyers argue this venue was deliberately chosen to portray the defendants as “highly criminal people,” a characterization they strongly oppose. Establishing the precise role of Elbit System’s German subsidiary in the Gaza conflict and the full extent of the damage caused – initially estimated at €200,000 but now claimed to be around €1 million – will present legal challenges.
Irish Government Providing Consular Assistance
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to Daniel Tatlow-Devally, including support and advice to both him and his family. The Consul General in Munich has conducted a consular visit to Tatlow-Devally.
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