(JTA) — Two German-born men of Palestinian background were charged with planning an attack on an Israeli target in the city.
The men, Mohamed El-N and Ali El-I, both 21, went on trial Tuesday in Berlin’s Criminal Court, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing court spokesman Tobiah Kaehni. Both are charged with “planning a massive act of violence.” (Germany does not provide last names of defendants.)
According to Kaehni, while the men may have been inspired by ISIS, the men had no direct contact with the group.
The two men, who had been living in a homeless facility, were arrested in July. One has German citizenship; the other is stateless.
According to the criminal complaint, the men assembled explosives and were planning attacks on the Israeli embassy or another Israeli target in the city, as well as on an unnamed synagogue. They also stockpiled baseball bats and illegal knives.
It is not yet clear whether they will be tried as youths or adults. If convicted as adults, they could face 10 years in prison.
