Federal prosecutor demands prison for arson attack in Bochum
The federal prosecution has demanded two years and nine months in prison for the arson attack on a school in Bochum, which was actually intended for the neighboring synagogue. It accuses the 36-year-old defendant of conspiracy to commit aggravated arson and attempted arson.
The federal prosecution rejected statements made by the accused that the attack was only aimed at the school and not the neighboring synagogue as a protective allegation. The 36-year-old had only attacked the school because the security measures at the synagogue were too tight for him.
In their plea on Thursday at the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, the federal prosecution stated that state authorities in Iran were probably behind the order to commit the crime. Ramin Y., an ex-rocker wanted for murder and attempted murder, had passed this order on to the defendant, whom he knew.
Ramin Y. is the former head of the Hells Angels in Mönchengladbach and is said to have fled to Iran. The federal prosecution rejected statements that the accused had carried out the crime primarily out of fear of him. They accused him of being close to the regime in Iran and having an anti-Semitic attitude.
The accused has already been in custody for over a year. The trial is due to continue on November 30 with the defense's plea. The arson attack on November 17 last year caused minor damage to the school building.
The case highlights the potential involvement of state processes in promoting extremist crimes, as the federal prosecution suggests that authorities in Iran were behind the order to commit the arson attack. The defendant's alleged anti-Semitic attitude and close ties to the Iranian regime further contribute to the discussion of how extremist beliefs can fuel criminal acts.
Source: www.dpa.com
