Explosion in fashion store - father and son in court

Process - Explosion in fashion store - father and son in court

A trial for 13 counts of attempted murder has begun in Aachen district court with the reading of the indictment. The accused are a 56-year-old man and his 22-year-old son. They are alleged to have planned and triggered a serious explosion in a fashion store in Eschweiler near Aachen in order to get money from the insurance company for the claim.

The state of the street full of broken glass and debris after the explosion can be described as "post-apocalyptic", said the public prosecutor.

Neighbors were injured by the detonation on the evening of March 30. They suffered smoke inhalation, cuts from broken windows and, in some cases, severe burns from the resulting fire. Four of them had to be treated as inpatients in hospitals and two were temporarily in mortal danger. According to the indictment, the damage to property runs into the millions.

Father: "I am innocent"

The accused son had his defense lawyer explain that he wanted to defend himself in silence. His father, on the other hand, made extensive statements with the help of an interpreter. His son had rented the store, said the 56-year-old. He had also made bank transfers for his son. The store had been a very good success. He had nothing to do with the explosion. "I am innocent," said the man.

The two defendants were remanded in custody a few days after the explosion. The son has German citizenship, his father has Iraqi and German citizenship.

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1. The explosion in Eschweiler, a fashion store near Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia, has led to a court case in the regional court of Aachen.
2. The father and son, both accused, are facing 13 counts of attempted murder due to the explosion in the fashion store.
3. Despite the serious charges, the father vehemently asserted his innocence during the trial, stating that he had no involvement in the explosion.
4. The son, however, chose to remain silent during his defense, relying on his lawyer to present his case.
5. The public prosecutor described the scene after the explosion, with broken glass and debris, as resembling a "post-apocalyptic" street.
6. The explosion resulted in injuries to neighbors, including smoke inhalation, cuts from broken windows, and severe burns from the fire.
7. The financial damage caused by the explosion is estimated to be in the millions, with insurance claims anticipated by the accused father and son.

Source: www.stern.de