In brief
The trial of Fadel Z, a Lebanese man linked to Hezbollah, has commenced in Germany, where he is accused of procuring materials for the group's drone operations. The case highlights Hezbollah's drone capabilities, particularly in relation to recent hostilities involving Israel. Prosecutors allege that Fadel Z, who allegedly joined Hezbollah over ten years ago, played a significant role in a drone program involving extensive operations since 2023, particularly after the escalation following Hamas's attacks on Israel in October 2023.
A Lebanese man has gone on trial in Celle, northern Germany, accused of being a member of Hezbollah - a Shia Muslim group whose military wing is proscribed as a terrorist organization by the EU.
The 35-year-old man, named only as Fadel Z, in line with German privacy laws, is charged with having played a key role in procuring products for Hezbollah's drone program.
The German Federal Prosecutor's Office said Fadel Z joined Hezbollah more than 10 years ago, first working in public relations. In a statement, prosecutors said Fadel Z became a foreign operator for the group's drone program in 2022, first from Barcelona in Spain. In the summer of 2023, he started working from Germany.
According to the statement by prosecutors, Hezbollah has been running an extensive drone program for some time. Following Hamas's 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, prosecutors said Hezbollah had systematically fired rockets and explosive-laden drones at both military and civilian targets in Israel. By June 2024, it had built up an arsenal of over 10,000 [drone] units, they stated.
Fadel Z is accused of purchasing materials and products for drone construction worth around €1.4m (£1.2m) until he was arrested in July 2024. The products allegedly came from companies in Europe, China, and the US, including over 2,000 petrol and electric motors and more than 600 propellers.
The trial at the regional court in Celle is expected to last until August next year. It is part of a larger narrative concerning escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the latter claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza following significant hostilities triggered in October 2023.
