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 From the point of view of the defense, however, the 26-year-old had withdrawn from the planned attack with immunity from prosecution; they only wanted the throwing of the incendiary device at the school to be considered damage to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.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
- USA forms military coalition against Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea
- German activists speak out in Dubai on suffering in Israel and the Gaza Strip
The 36-year-old, who hails from Düsseldorf, was found guilty of conspiring to commit an arson attack on the Bochum Synagogue, as revealed in the court's verdict. The planned arson attack was orchestrated by Iranian state agencies, according to the court's findings. Unfortunately, the defendant was unable to execute the attack due to various factors, including the well-lit paths around the synagogue. Despite attempting to involve an acquaintance, only the neighboring school suffered damage from the Molotov cocktail instead. The higher regional court (OLG) in Düsseldorf upheld the federal prosecution's request and handed down a prison sentence to the 36-year-old.
Source: www.stern.de
