{
  "id": 18309032,
  "title": "Germany: Lawyers demand judge recusal in Ulm 5 trial after Israeli arms expert barred",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/germany-lawyers-demand-judge-recusal-in-ulm-5-trial-after-israeli",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T13:01:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/lawyers-demand-judges-recusal-after-she-refuses-hear-expert-testimony-israeli-arms-company-ulm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Germany: Lawyers demand judge recusal in Ulm 5 trial after Israeli arms expert barred Submitted by Katherine Hearst on Thu, 11/05/2026 - 09:31 Witness blocked at trial of activists alleged to have damaged Elbit Systems site developing technology used in Gaza A protester waves a Palestinian flag outside an Elbit Systems building in Germany (Image: Shut Elbit Down Deutschland) Off A German court…",
  "key_points": [
    "Five activists, the Ulm Five, accused of damaging Israeli arms facility in Ulm, Germany.",
    "Israeli experts barred from testifying, leading to lawyers' demand for judge recusal.",
    "Lawyers argue court's decision is absurd, citing lack of evidence on connection to Gaza war."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}