Press release: Defence Team of the Ulm5 from 19th June 2026
On 15th June, the Ulm5 defence had to argue with the court about things that are not amenable to argument: basic facts. The defence applied for permission for the public to make notes with items that cannot be used as weapons, citing specific types and brands. A brief internet search would have allowed the court to learn that pens are available that are specifically designed not to cause injury. The court rejected this with the claim that all writing implements, even felt-tip pens or crayons, have a sharp tip that can endanger people.
The defence also applied to be able to consult with their clients in the courthouse without partitions separating them (as is currently the case). This was rejected by the court with the argument that such rooms do not exist – yet the defence is aware from their own experience at this venue that such rooms certainly do exist.
Furthermore, the Presiding Judge justified continued detention on the grounds (among others) that the defendants had objected to their rights to a fair trial under Article 6 ECHR not being realised. Transforming a legitimate defence argument into grounds for continued detention exposes, yet again, her deep prejudice against the accused. For this reason, and because of repeated false statements by the court, the defence brought further motions for recusal.
On 19th June defence counsel objected to ways in which the public’s right of access to the proceedings are being violated. The defence has received multiple reports of degrading body searches. It has been reported that female members of the public were searched roughly, under their bras and in their private parts, causing pain. The court has to answer for these checks, as it has, from the outset, created an atmosphere and an image of danger not only from the defendants but also the public, and has not intervened against excessive security searches.
The defence also made an application to have the report “What the Wounds are telling us“ by Maud Effting und Willen Feenstra read and examined by the court. This report, which recently won the European Press Prize, documents bullet wounds among children in Gaza which indicate that serious injuries were deliberately inflicted on them. Only if the court is prepared to accept what is happening in Gaza will it be able to assess the motivation of the defendants.
Towards the end of proceedings on 19th June, a heated exchange ensued as a result of a remark by the Presiding Judge Kathrin Lauchstädt. Defence counsel Matthias Schuster challenged the judge, saying that these court proceedings were not a barracks and she was not a sergeant-major [Feldwebel], to which she replied “I am!” [doch!]. The judge is evidently of the view that, in contrast to the Code of Criminal Procedure, she has military authority and her instructions must be implemented as military orders. The defence welcomes this overt expression by the judge of what has been evident from all her decisions to date. The defence and the defendants therefore challenged the presiding judge on the basis of prejudice.
The next scheduled trial date is 29th June in Stuttgart-Stammheim. The undersigned may be contacted for any queries.
Who are the Ulm5? Five young people – students, artists, activists – from Ireland, the UK, Spain, and Germany who have spent years advocating for Palestinian rights through legal means. Their action on 8th September 2025, was an expression of deep moral conviction – civil disobedience directed exclusively against property in order to save human lives.
Defence team: Dr. Maja Beisenherz, München, Info@beisenherz.eu, 0177 / 70 95 812, Michael Brenner, Nürnberg, michael.brenner@anw-nbg.de, 0911 / 37 66 42 77, Mathes Breuer, München, breuer@kanzlei-abe.de, 0175 / 52 46 963, Anna Magdalena Busl, Bonn, busl@anwaltsbuero-bonn.de, 0176 / 23 23 32 35, Benjamin Düsberg, Berlin, mail@rechtsanwalt-duesberg.de, 0157 / 30 30 8383, Carolin Kaufmann, Berlin, kaufmann@akm-berlin.de, 0172 / 47 21 420, Rosa Mayer-Eschenbach, München, eschenbach@kanzlei-abe.de, 0176 / 65 35 94 43, Christina Mucha, Memmingen, info@kanzlei-mucha.de, 08331 / 69 08 136, Nina Onèr, Berlin, kanzlei@ninaoner.de, 01520 97 33 278, Matthias Schuster, Berlin, mail@anwalt-schuster.de, 0176 / 24 75 8230, Martina Sulzberger, Augsburg, kanzlei@anwaeltin-sulzberger.de, 0821 / 50 87 3850