[The trial of the BaaderMeinhof anarchist group, opened…]
Socialist Press1975 1975-05-29Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 2 →
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The trial of the BaaderMeinhof anarchist group, opened in Stuttgart on May 20th, was adjourned on the first day until May 30th because some of the defence lawyers have already been excluded for being too helpful to the accused.
The build up to the trial and the atmosphere in which it has been conducted can only be compared to the witch trials of the middle ages. A great campaign of hysteria has been built up by police al press against the defendants. It was even proposed at one time to open the brain of Ulrike Meinhof for inspection. She and the other defendants, Andreas Baader, Gudrin Ensslin, and Jan-Carl Raspe have been treated by sensory deprivation and other modern forms of scientific torture.
The Spanish inquisition and nazi 'science' will not be dead as long as these methods continue. Two and a half million pounds have been spent to construct a speeial court house which expresses all the might of the modern West German state. All the most advancer forms of modern technology have been utilised for the electronic surveillance of the accused, surrounding them with . granite, and with helicopters flying above their heads.
The possiblity of any serious consideration of the evidence against the accused must be dubious to say the least. A defence lawyer suggested on the only day of the trial so far that the chief judge might just as well shut up shop and let an army general take his place. His words will no doubt ring even more true in the months ahead as this show trial proceeds.