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Arson attack on Bochum synagogue planned: Prison sentence for 36-year-old

A 36-year-old German-Iranian was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison on Tuesday for planning an arson attack on a synagogue in Bochum. The Higher Regional Court (OLG) in Düsseldorf considered it proven that the accused had planned the attack in November 2022 with a "backer" in...

Glowing Star of David in the window of a synagogue.aussiedlerbote.de
Glowing Star of David in the window of a synagogue.aussiedlerbote.de

Arson attack on Bochum synagogue planned: Prison sentence for 36-year-old

According to the court, the accused wanted to pretend to his client in Iran that he was "carrying out the crime or at least making efforts to do so". He had "involuntarily" aborted the agreed execution of the crime in view of the illuminated paths around the synagogue, the exposed location of the building and signs of security precautions, among other things. The verdict was handed down for conspiracy to commit aggravated arson and attempted arson.

According to the court's findings, the arson attack was planned by "Iranian state agencies". The defendant also tried in vain to persuade an acquaintance to take part before carrying out the attack with a Molotov cocktail. The incendiary device caused damage to the neighboring school, which was hit instead of the synagogue.

With its verdict, the OLG followed the request of the federal prosecution. From the point of view of the defense, however, the 26-year-old had withdrawn from the planned attack with immunity from prosecution; they only wanted the throwing of the incendiary device at the school to be considered damage to property. The verdict is not yet final and can be appealed by both the prosecution and the defense.

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Source: www.stern.de

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