Trial in Hamburg: Two men accused of planning assassination attempts on behalf of Iran in Germany
A trial has begun at Hamburg's higher regional court against two alleged Iranian agents. They are accused of preparing attacks on leading representatives of the Jewish community and the German-Israeli Society.
Trial in Hamburg: Two men accused of planning assassination attempts on behalf of Iran in Germany
A trial began on Thursday at Hamburg's higher regional court (Oberlandesgericht) against two men who are said to have conducted covert operations in Germany on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 54-year-old Ali S. and the 52-year-old Tawab M. are accused of spying on people, planning murders and arson attacks in the service of a foreign power.
According to the indictment by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, the two suspects, who live in Denmark, had specific targets in their sights: Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews, and Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society. Investigators believe that Ali S. received his orders directly from officers of the Quds Brigade, the foreign operations unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
In June 2025, Ali S. and his family drove from Denmark to Berlin. While what appeared to be a holiday trip was taking place, the suspect drove alone through the capital in a rental car. During this time, he remained in the vicinity of the offices of the German-Israeli Society. Investigators observed conspicuous driving behaviour.
In addition to the surveillance activities, Ali S. is also said to have made preparations for an arson attack on a kosher food shop in Berlin. For this purpose, he apparently searched for a woman from Somalia or Palestine who would have been willing to travel to Germany and carry out the attack in exchange for payment. As compensation, he is said to have offered around 4,000 euros.
The co-defendant Tawab M., an Afghan national, is said to have been in contact with Ali S. According to the prosecution, they jointly planned to recruit another person to carry out an assassination attempt on Volker Beck. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office accuses Ali S. of intelligence agency espionage and attempted complicity in murder and serious arson. Tawab M. must answer charges of attempted complicity in murder.
The planned attacks were not carried out. In June 2025, Ali S. was arrested in the Danish city of Aarhus and later extradited to Germany. Both defendants made no statement regarding the charges after the indictment was read.
Volker Beck attended the first day of proceedings as a spectator under police protection. He has applied to be admitted as a co-prosecutor. Beck called for the expulsion of Iranian diplomats and a reduction of embassy staff. The Iranian embassy in Berlin rejected the accusations as "unfounded".
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung