Full Breakdown
New Charges Filed Against Former Red Army Faction Member Daniela Klette
3/28/2026, 4:56:47 PM
Overview of the Charges
Daniela Klette, a former member of the Red Army Faction (RAF), faces new charges from Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office related to a series of violent attacks in the early 1990s. The 67-year-old is accused of attempted murder, involvement in explosive attacks, kidnapping for extortion, and aggravated robbery. These allegations are in addition to her ongoing trial for a series of robberies conducted between 1999 and 2016, which were allegedly carried out to finance her life in hiding.
Specific Allegations
The new charges against Klette involve several serious incidents, including an attempted bombing of a Deutsche Bank building in Eschborn in 1990, which failed to detonate, and a shooting attack on the US Embassy in Bonn in 1991, where at least 250 rounds were fired, striking the embassy 57 times. Additionally, Klette is implicated in a 1993 bombing of a newly constructed prison in Weiterstadt, which resulted in approximately €73 million in damages. During this attack, Klette and her accomplices reportedly overpowered prison guards and set off explosives inside the facility, which was not yet operational.
Background and Context
Klette's involvement with the RAF places her in the so-called third generation of the group, which was active during a period marked by a series of violent actions against state institutions and perceived enemies. After her activities in the 1990s, Klette disappeared from public view, reportedly living under a false identity in Berlin for decades. Her alleged accomplices, Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg, remain at large.
Discovery and Arrest
Klette's arrest on February 26, 2024, in Berlin-Kreuzberg surprised local residents, who knew her as "Claudia," a friendly, gray-haired tutor. Following her arrest, investigators discovered a cache of weapons in her apartment, including pistols, ammunition, and military-grade firearms.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Klette has been on trial at the Verden District Court since March 2025 for the robberies that occurred from 1999 to 2016. The public prosecutor's office alleges that Klette, along with Staub and Garweg, conducted a series of heists targeting cash-in-transit vehicles and cash offices across Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein to sustain their lives while evading law enforcement.
Criticism & Opposition
The resurgence of Klette's case has drawn attention to the legacy of the RAF and the implications of their actions on victims and society. Critics argue that the continued legal proceedings highlight the challenges of addressing historical terrorism and the impact on families affected by the group's violent past.
What's Next
A court in Frankfurt is set to determine the timeline for Klette's trial regarding the new charges. The outcome of these proceedings may have significant implications for how historical cases of political violence are prosecuted in Germany.
