Final judgment for fatal attack on Hertha fan

BHG - Final judgment for fatal attack on Hertha fan

One and a half years after the violent death of a Hertha fan, the verdict against a Rostock fan is final. The 5th Criminal Senate of the Federal Court of Justice in Leipzig (BGH) dismissed the defendant's appeal, as the review of the verdict did not reveal any legal errors to his disadvantage, the court announced on Monday.

In March, the Berlin Regional Court had sentenced the then 25-year-old to three and a half years in prison for assault resulting in death. He was also ordered to pay 10,000 euros to the bereaved.

The defendant admitted in court that he had punched the 55-year-old in the face with his fist after the relegation play-off match between Hertha BSC and Hamburger SV in Berlin's Olympic Stadium in May last year. According to the investigation, the Berlin family man fell to the ground without braking and hit the back of his head on the tarmac. He suffered severe craniocerebral trauma and died a month later in hospital.

Statement from the court

Read also:

• Germany wants to further prevent chat control in Europe

1. Despite appealing to the 5th Criminal Senate of the Federal Court of Justice in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, specifically in Leipzig (BGH), the Rostock fan received no legal relief, as the review of his sentence did not reveal any errors.
2. The Criminal Senate of the Federal Court of Justice in Saxony, based in Leipzig, upheld the initial judgment issued by the Berlin Regional Court earlier this year.
3. The defendant, a 25-year-old fan from Rostock, was found guilty of assault resulting in death in a soccer match-related incident, facing a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a fine of 10,000 euros in the criminal proceedings held in Berlin.
4. Following the relegation play-off match between Hertha BSC and Hamburger SV in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, the attack in question took place, leading to the fatal consequences for the 55-year-old fan, whose family now awaits the final judgments related to the case.
5. As a result of the verdict, the defendant will serve out his time in prison, with the hope that such incidents of criminality in soccers stadiums can be effectively addressed through proper judicial proceedings, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all fans in Berlin and beyond.

Source: www.stern.de