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Former Red Army Faction member Daniela Klette convicted for robberies spanning 1999-2016
Daniela Klette, a 67-year-old former member of the far-left militant group Red Army Faction (RAF), was sentenced to 13 years in prison by a German court in Verden on May 27, 2026. The court found her guilty of multiple counts of robbery, weapons law violations, and other crimes committed between 1999 and 2016, while she was living underground under a false identity. The prosecution had sought a 15-year sentence.
The verdict marks a significant milestone in Germany's decades-long pursuit of former RAF members who evaded capture after the group's dissolution in 1998. Klette was arrested in February 2024 in Berlin following a public tip, ending a fugitive period that lasted nearly three decades.
Background: The RAF and Its Third Generation
The Red Army Faction, also known as the Baader-Meinhof Group, was a West German far-left militant organization active from 1970 to 1998. The group was responsible for 34 deaths, including bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings targeting political and business figures. The RAF described itself as a communist and anti-imperialist urban guerrilla group. Its activities peaked in 1977 during the so-called 'German Autumn,' a national crisis involving the kidnapping and murder of industrialist Hanns Martin Schleyer.
The RAF evolved through three generations. The first generation, led by Andreas Baader, Ulrike Meinhof, and Gudrun Ensslin, was largely arrested by 1972. The second generation emerged after the first generation's deaths in prison in 1977. The third generation of the RAF, active in the 1980s and 1990s, included Klette, Ernst-Volker Staub, and Burkhard Garweg. On April 20, 1998, the RAF announced its dissolution via a fax to Reuters. However, Klette and her accomplices continued to operate.
The Crimes: From Terrorism to Common Criminality
Robberies to fund life on the run
After the RAF disbanded, Klette, Staub, and Garweg—dubbed the 'RAF pensioners' by the German press—went underground. To sustain themselves, they committed a series of armed robberies targeting cash transport vehicles and supermarkets across Germany. The court in Verden found Klette guilty of participating in at least six major robberies, including:
- An armored vehicle heist in Duisburg in 1999, netting DM 1 million
- A robbery in Bochum-Wattenscheid on December 27, 2006
- An attack on a cash transport near Bremen on June 6, 2015
- A robbery in Wolfsburg on December 28, 2015
- A heist in Cremlingen on June 25, 2016
During these crimes, the trio used firearms and in some cases fired shots, though no fatalities occurred. Prosecutors had also charged Klette with attempted murder in connection with the robberies, but the court dismissed that charge due to insufficient evidence. However, a separate case regarding Klette's alleged involvement in a 1991 sniper attack on the US embassy in Bonn remains pending, with federal prosecutors filing charges for attempted murder in 20 cases in March 2026.
Arrest and Trial: How Klette Was Finally Caught
For years, Klette lived openly in Berlin's Kreuzberg neighborhood under the false Italian name 'Claudia Ivone.' She maintained a public Facebook account, uploading photos of herself at a capoeira club. In November 2023, a citizen tip led police to her location. On February 26, 2024, Lower Saxony state police arrested her without resistance. A search of her apartment revealed weapons, ammunition, forged identity documents, gold, and €240,000 in cash.
Her trial began on March 25, 2025, in Celle and later moved to Verden for security reasons. The court heard testimony from victims and experts. Klette did not comment on the allegations during the proceedings. The verdict on May 27, 2026, sentenced her to 13 years, below the 15 years sought by prosecutors.
The case has drawn attention to Germany's handling of former RAF members, with some arguing that the statute of limitations prevented prosecution for her earlier terrorist acts. Klette was not tried for RAF-era crimes because the statute of limitations had expired.
Still Wanted: Staub and Garweg Remain at Large
Klette's accomplices, Ernst-Volker Staub (71) and Burkhard Garweg (57), remain fugitives. German authorities continue to offer a €150,000 reward for information leading to their capture. The three are believed to have coordinated their robberies, but Staub and Garweg have not been located since Klette's arrest. In 2016, Dutch police mistakenly arrested three men matching their descriptions in Medemblik, but they were released.
The ongoing search for RAF fugitives highlights the challenges German law enforcement faces in closing the final chapter on one of the country's most notorious terrorist groups.
Impact and Implications
The conviction of Daniela Klette is a landmark moment in German legal history. It demonstrates that even decades-old crimes can be prosecuted, provided evidence and legal frameworks allow. However, the case also raises questions about the effectiveness of Germany's witness protection and intelligence-sharing systems, as Klette lived undetected for nearly 30 years in the capital.
For victims of the robberies, the sentence brings a measure of justice. 'After so many years, we finally have a verdict. It doesn't undo the fear, but it shows that the state can still hold people accountable,' said a spokesperson for the victims' association.
The verdict may also prompt renewed calls for reforms to Germany's statute of limitations laws for severe crimes, particularly those linked to terrorism. Meanwhile, the families of RAF victims continue to seek closure for the group's earlier, deadlier attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Daniela Klette convicted for?
Daniela Klette was convicted of multiple armed robberies, weapons law violations, and other crimes committed between 1999 and 2016, while she was a fugitive after the RAF's dissolution.
Why wasn't she tried for RAF terrorism?
Statutory limitations prevented prosecution for her alleged involvement in RAF attacks in the 1990s. However, a separate case for a 1991 sniper attack is pending.
Are Staub and Garweg still wanted?
Yes, Ernst-Volker Staub and Burkhard Garweg remain fugitives. German police are actively searching for them and offer a €150,000 reward.
How was Klette caught after 30 years?
She was arrested in Berlin in February 2024 following a tip from a member of the public. She had been living under a false Italian name and using social media.
What was the Red Army Faction?
The RAF was a West German far-left militant group active from 1970 to 1998, responsible for 34 deaths through bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. It formally dissolved in 1998.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Daniela Klette
- Wikipedia: Red Army Faction
- NOS News report, May 27, 2026
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