It is the biggest trial on far-right extremism in Germany since World War II, centering on Beate Zschäpe and the National Socialist Underground (NSU) neo-Nazi group she allegedly co-founded. Authorities hold the group responsible for the murders of eight Turkish men, a Greek man and a policewoman. Aside from Zschäpe, another four defendants stand accused of having supported the right-wing terror cell.

The trial opened on Monday but was adjourned later in the day for a week after defense lawyers questioned the impartiality of the judges. Zschäpe's lawyers lodged the application after defense lawyers were searched for guns when entering the court while prosecutors were not.