Germany: Lawyers demand judge recusal in Ulm 5 trial after Israeli arms expert barred

Lawyers for five activists accused of damaging an Israeli arms facility in Ulm, Germany, are demanding a judge be removed from the trial after Israeli experts were barred from testifying. The activists, known as the "Ulm Five," were arrested on September 8 and are accused of breaking into the Elbit Systems site, damaging the glass facade and office equipment.

The court has rejected two expert witness applications, both of which involved weapons expert Dr. Shir Hever and international law expert Professor Isabel Feichtner. The lawyers argue the court's decision is "absurd" and cite a lack of evidence on the connection between the technology developed at the Ulm site and Israel's war in Gaza.

The defense team plans to request the judge's recusal, alleging bias. The activists' lawyers also claim police witnesses provided conflicting information, citing memory loss or confidentiality issues.