The trial of Emin Bayman, a 70 year-old Kurd, has begun at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court in Germany, Yeni Özgür Politika reported on Thursday. Bayman, who was arrested in a raid on his home in Heilbronn in 2021, is accused under sections 129a and 129b of the German Criminal Code of organising demonstrations and collecting donations to support Kurdish activities over several years. The case has raised concerns about the use of Germany’s anti-terror laws against Kurdish activists.
The trial, led by Chief Prosecutor Corinna Mahringer, began on 14 October. Bayman, who is on remand, appeared with his legal team and was supported by his wife and numerous members of the Kurdish community. According to the Stuttgart Public Prosecutor’s Office, Bayman allegedly acted as a regional organiser between 2015 and 2021. The indictment alleges that he organised legal activities, collected donations and distributed newspapers – activities that are generally considered permissible in democratic societies.
During the first hearing, it was decided that Bayman would receive a translated copy of the 167-page case file, with further defence arguments to be presented at the next session on 21 October. Subsequent court sessions are scheduled for late 2024 and early 2025, concluding on 10 January.
AZADÎ, a legal organisation based in Cologne, Germany, has expressed concern about the increased use of Articles 129a/b in the prosecution of Kurdish individuals. The group highlighted that Bayman’s case is unusual as he remains free pending trial – a rare circumstance in similar cases. AZADÎ noted that Bayman’s trial is being pursued on the basis of an individual authorisation issued by the German Ministry of Justice in 2019, rather than a broader directive targeting regional leaders.
“We criticise the acceptance of these charges by the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court and are concerned about the expansion of the prosecution of Kurds under Germany’s anti-terror laws,” AZADÎ said. They warned that such cases, which classify Kurdish organisations as part of a wider network, could in future lead to the prosecution of individuals who are merely supporters or sympathisers, even if they are not formally affiliated to specific organisations.
