Suspected members of Palestinian group of Hamas on trial in Germany

Four Hamas members suspected of plotting attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe were on Tuesday, put on trial in Berlin, in what prosecutors described as the first court case against militants of the Islamist group in Germany.

The Hamas members were said to be detained in late 2023 on suspicion of planning attacks, German prosecutors said at the time.

Prosecutor,Jochen Weingarten, said, for the first time in Germany, suspects are facing charges of having participated as members of the foreign terrorist organisation, Hamas.

He added the defendants were accused of seeking to locate a secret weapons depot in Poland for possible attacks, while receiving orders from the deputy commander of the Qassam Brigades in Lebanon.

According to previous statements by prosecutors, the defendants are also accused of operating other weapons caches in Europe.