Trial of Suspected Hezbollah Member Begins in Germany

Tue Nov 18 2025 23:49:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Lebanese man alleged to have supported Hezbollah's drone program faces trial in Celle, accused of procuring materials for the militant group.

The trial of Fadel Z, a 35-year-old Lebanese man accused of being a member of Hezbollah, commenced in Celle, Germany. Prosecutors allege that he played a significant role in acquiring parts for the group's drone program, which has been engaged in violent clashes with Israel since October 2023. Fadel Z reportedly purchased components worth approximately €1.4 million for drone construction, with parts sourced globally, including over 600 propellers and thousands of motors used in explosive drones deployed against Israel. The proceedings are expected to continue until August of the following year.

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 organisation 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 programme.

The German Federal Prosecutor's Office stated that Fadel Z joined Hezbollah more than 10 years ago, initially working in public relations.

Prosecutors claim he became a foreign operator for the group's drone programme in 2022, starting from Barcelona before moving to Germany in the summer of 2023.

According to the statement by prosecutors, Hezbollah has been running an extensive drone programme for some time. Following Hamas's attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah reportedly began to systematically fire rockets and explosive-laden drones at both military and civilian targets in Israel

By June 2024, Hezbollah had reportedly built up an arsenal of over 10,000 drones.

Fadel Z is accused of purchasing materials and products for drone construction worth around €1.4 million until he was arrested in July 2024, including more than 2,000 petrol and electric motors, and over 600 propellers from companies in Europe, China, and the US.

Using various front companies, he allegedly placed orders and arranged for the transport of the goods to Lebanon. Two of the engines he purchased were reportedly used in explosive drones that Hezbollah fired at Israel, including one that targeted a retirement home on Yom Kippur.

The court case is anticipated to last until August next year, amidst a backdrop of escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which has seen thousands of casualties on both sides.