Brigitte Hogefeld: Trial, Conviction, and the Fall of the RAF
The legal proceedings against Brigitte Hogefeld mark a significant chapter in the history of the Red Army Faction (RAF), a far-left militant organization in Germany. Following an investigation by the public prosecutor's office in Schwerin and a federal government report in March 1994, Hogefeld faced trial before the State Security Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main starting on November 15, 1994.
Unlike many of her contemporaries in the RAF, Hogefeld did not employ a political defense. Instead, she adhered to the standard Code of Criminal Procedure, remaining largely silent on the specific charges while eventually reflecting on the catastrophic mistakes of the organization's history.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Conviction: Found guilty of multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and causing explosions.
- Sentence: Originally sentenced to life imprisonment due to the "particular gravity of guilt."
- Key Crimes: Involved in the murder of Edward Pimental and the 1985 Rhein-Main Air Base bombing.
- RAF Impact: Her public questioning of the RAF's path contributed to the group's 1998 declaration of dissolution.
- Release: Released on parole in June 2011 after serving 18 years in prison.
The Indictment and Criminal Charges
The Federal Prosecutor General filed a comprehensive indictment against Hogefeld, detailing her involvement in several violent operations spanning nearly a decade.
The Murder of Edward Pimental and the Air Base Bombing
In 1985, Hogefeld lured U.S. soldier Edward Pimental from a Wiesbaden nightclub with the promise of a romantic encounter. Pimental was subsequently killed by a gunshot to the back of the head. The court determined the motive was solely to steal his military ID card to gain access to the U.S. Rhein-Main Air Base.
Hours after the murder, a male RAF member used the stolen ID to enter the base and detonate a Volkswagen Passat containing 126 kilograms of explosives. The blast killed Airman First Class Frank Scarton and civilian employee Becky Jo Bristol, while injuring 23 others. Hogefeld was linked to the crime through a handwriting analysis of the car's purchase contract, which she had signed under a false name.
Other Violent Operations
- Attack on Hans Tietmeyer (1988): Hogefeld was charged with co-perpetration of attempted murder for renting the getaway car used in the attack on the Finance State Secretary and his driver.
- Weiterstadt Prison Bombing (1993): She was linked to this explosion through textile fibers found in a getaway Volkswagen Transporter and correspondence with her mother describing the effort required for such an operation.
- GSG 9 Shooting: She was initially charged with the shooting of officer Michael Newrzella by Wolfgang Grams, based on the theory of a joint criminal plan to shoot their way free during arrest under § 25(2) of the German Criminal Code.
Trial Dynamics and the Dissolution of the RAF
During the trial, Hogefeld's approach differed from the typical RAF strategy. She described the murder of Pimental as "horrific and profoundly inhuman" and admitted that much of the RAF's history was a "wrong path."
This self-critical stance created a rift between Hogefeld and her former comrades. While the media viewed her with sympathy, other RAF members accused her of betrayal. However, her admissions are credited with significantly contributing to the RAF's official declaration of dissolution in March 1998.
Conviction, Sentencing, and Legal Appeals
On November 5, 1996, the court found Hogefeld guilty on all counts except for the killing of officer Michael Newrzella. She was sentenced to life imprisonment.
| Date | Event | Outcome/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 1994 | Trial Opening | Trial begins at Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main. |
| Nov 5, 1996 | Initial Verdict | Guilty on most counts; sentenced to life imprisonment. |
| Feb 1998 | Partial Overturn | Federal Court of Justice refers Weiterstadt prison charge for rehearing. |
| June 29, 1998 | Final Sentencing | Weiterstadt proceedings discontinued; life sentence maintained. |
| Jan 5, 1999 | Final Appeal | Federal Court of Justice dismisses final appeal. |
Clemency and Release
Hogefeld spent much of her sentence at the high-security Frankfurt-Preungesheim Prison. During this time, she pursued higher education, completing studies in literary studies and social psychology at the University of Hagen in 2007.
Despite petitions for clemency, Federal President Horst Köhler definitively rejected her request in May 2010. However, in June 2011, Hogefeld was released on five years' parole after serving 18 years. She was the last imprisoned member of the RAF. Notably, she did not accept a crown-witness arrangement and has remained silent regarding the specific execution of the crimes and the identities of other participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Brigitte Hogefeld sentenced to life imprisonment?
The court imposed a life sentence due to the "particular gravity of guilt" and a demonstrated "contempt for human life," specifically citing the cold-blooded murder of Edward Pimental to facilitate a bombing.
What was Hogefeld's role in the Rhein-Main Air Base bombing?
Hogefeld was a co-perpetrator who helped facilitate the attack by procuring the getaway vehicle (a Volkswagen Passat) under a false name and was involved in the murder of the soldier whose ID was used to enter the base.
How did Hogefeld influence the end of the Red Army Faction?
By publicly acknowledging the "catastrophic mistakes" of the RAF and describing its history as a "wrong path" during her trial, she provided a catalyst that contributed to the organization's formal dissolution in 1998.
Did Brigitte Hogefeld cooperate with authorities to reduce her sentence?
No. According to expert Butz Peters, Hogefeld did not accept a crown-witness arrangement and has continued to remain silent about the operational details of the crimes and the people involved.
What did Hogefeld do while serving her sentence?
She engaged in distance learning through the University of Hagen, earning degrees in social psychology and literary studies, and later worked as a trainee after being moved to an open prison in 2009.