- Attempted homicide and deliberate fire-setting trial
At the Flensburg Regional Court, a trial commenced for a 26-year-old accused of attempted murder and aggravated arson. The accused is said to have poured gasoline through the front door and mail slot of an apartment in Schleswig around 6:00 AM on February 28, before igniting it, as per the prosecutor's charging document.
The apartment was inhabited by a man and a woman at the time. Due to high CO2 levels, they required hospitalization. The fire also caused damage to the wooden apartment door and furniture.
According to the accused, he believed the couple was asleep in the apartment when he started the fire. He was aware and took the risk that they might be asphyxiated by the fire or inhale harmful gases.
He had previously threatened the couple with a knife hours before the incident.
The prosecution contends that the accused aimed to intimidate the man and compel him to retract a statement he had made against the accused in another investigation through his actions.
The prosecution also alleges that the accused visited the apartment and threatened the couple with a knife earlier that same day, for the same reason.
During the initial trial day, only the charging document was presented. Subsequent court dates have been scheduled, stretching until early November.
The fire caused significant damage to the apartment's wooden door and furniture. Due to the smoke and harmful gases, the couple had to be hospitalized.
