Stephan Ernst was closed because of the murder of Walter Lübcke 15 Sentenced to years in prison, his alleged helper Markus H. was able to leave the courtroom as a free man. Punishment for attacking Ahmed I with a knife. was not imposed in Frankfurt. Protest against this judgment and against right-wing terror in Germany formed locally and in Kassel.
After 45 Has negotiating days 5. Senate of the Higher Regional Court passed a judgment in the trial against Stephan Ernst and Markus H. spoken. A judgment that creates anger and leaves many questions unanswered: neither could the course of the night of the murder be reliably reconstructed, nor has the process contributed to it, to inform about the terrorist efforts of the neo-Nazi scene in northern Hesse.
Prison for Stephan Ernst, Probation for Markus H.
In contrast, the court is clear in the judgment and in the reasons for the judgment against Stephan Ernst. With him becomes a “particular severity of guilt” determined and a safekeeping after the 15 Years imprisonment is reserved. The basis for this is the homicidal trait of treachery and its motive of hatred as the lower motive. The court here explicitly refers to his “Volkish-nationalistic sentiment” as a motive.
However, this also means, that the Senate assumes sole perpetrator of the murder of Walter Lübcke. What already became apparent in the course of the process, now confirms the judgment: there is insufficient evidence for the presence of Markus H. on the night of the crime and his aiding and abetting Ernst could not be proven by the federal prosecutor's office.
Markus H. can be serious despite psychological support, den gemeinsamen Schießtrainings und der Vermittlung von Waffen das Gericht mit einem blauen Auge verlassen. Einzig der unrechtmäßige Besitz einer Deko-Waffe führt zu einer Verurteilung zu 18 Monaten Bewährung. Auf das Urteil reagierte Markus H. mit einem Grinsen.
Messerattacke auf Ahmed I. bleibt unbestraft
Ebenfalls nicht geahndet wurde der Messerangriff auf Ahmed I. im Januar 2016. Auch hier betrachtet das Gericht die vorhandenen Beweismittel, wie die Übereinstimmungen von DNA-Merkmalen auf Ernsts Messer mit der von Ahmed I., nicht als ausreichend für eine Verurteilung. Dagegen legt die Bundesanwaltschaft Revision ein. Das Urteil vom 28. Januar ist noch nicht rechtskräftig.
Für Ahmed I. there is no justice through this court process. In one opinion he asks how it is possible, that there was so little interest in him and in solving the knife attack in court. The questions would have to be answered, so that he can find peace again: “I am reminded of this every day, what five years ago on 6. January 2016 happened. If I don't get my rights, then that's something, that influences my life.”
Protests in Frankfurt and Kassel
His statement was read out at the rally in Kassel on Thursday. There had that “Alliance against the Right” called to a meeting in front of the town hall, at which about 200 People showed solidarity with him and other victims of right-wing violence. The speeches referred to the im “NSU-Komplex” Unexplained neo-Nazi networks on site as well as the institutional racism of the authorities during investigations.
“Everyone should know: It was a racist act. I am convinced of it and I have no doubts about it, that it was Stephan Ernst. […] He is not alone. There are many racists. Not just Stephan Ernst, many of these racists will now think: "We made it". The acquittal for the attempted murder against me is a signal to racists and Nazis, that they are not punished. Stephan Ernst did it.
Ahmed I.
Also Awet Tesfaiesus from the “Initiative of Black People in Germany” reported, that victims of racist and right-wing violence are denied their experience, They are not believed and even blamed themselves.
Individual perpetrators in court
In fact, it's a problem, that individual guilt can be clearly established in court, but the justice system cannot be expected to provide clarification about the complete background and social causes of an act.
The milieu around Stephan Ernst remained that way, that confirmed his goals and thus laid the basis for the acts of terrorism, unmolested in the court case, which has now ended. But what role did the participants in the AfD demonstration in Chemitz play?, the seriousness as “trigger” blamed for the murder, the work colleagues, with whom he used racist agitation during the break or the shooting club in which everyone was angry “Angela Merkel's refugee policy” excited? Unlike the NSU complex, Ernst's everyday life was the starting point for his attacks, no right-wing terrorist cell underground.
The court convicted Ernst on Thursday as a lone perpetrator – And perhaps from a legal perspective that says everything about right-wing terror. Just one more reason for the numerous demonstrators in Frankfurt and Kassel, not to be silent.
Arson in Kassel
Beyond the trial and the counter-protests, the car of the alleged helper Markus H. was apparently stolen from Sunday to Monday. destroyed. In one on the platform “Indymedia” The published letter relates to the arson of Markus H.'s car. known. Also the “HNA” reported consistent with a burned out vehicle in Kassel-Waldau. In hers anonymous statement write those responsible: “as 2014 Many people seeking protection had to flee to Germany. Markus Hartmann decided to stand on the side of those who were infecting refugee homes and chasing foreigners through the streets. Whether this state finds him guilty or not doesn't matter to us.”
