Racist arson attack: charges brought for aiding and abetting
The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has brought charges against a second man for a racist arson attack on a home for asylum seekers in Saarlouis, Saarland, more than 30 years ago. He is suspected of aiding and abetting the murder and attempted murder of 20 people, according to the federal prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe. The suspect represents an "ideology characterized by national socialist and racist convictions".
Samuel Yeboah, a 27-year-old asylum seeker from Ghana, West Africa, died in the 1991 fire at the home for asylum seekers in Saarlouis. Two other residents jumped out of a window and broke bones. 18 other residents were able to escape unharmed. The suspect is said to have made positive comments about racist attacks shortly before the attack and thus influenced the later arsonist.
52-year-old sentenced to six years and ten months
The latter, now 52 years old, had only been sentenced to six years and ten months for the fatal attack by the Koblenz Higher Regional Court in October. According to the court, he had set the fire for racist motives. The verdict is not yet final.
In the trial before the Koblenz Higher Regional Court, the man now accused was described by several witnesses as the leader of the skinhead scene at the time. He has been in custody since the beginning of June this year.
According to a statement on Monday, he is said to have visited a restaurant in Saarlouis on the night of September 18/19, 1991, together with the convicted man. The group also talked about racist attacks in eastern Germany. The man made it clear that he would also like to see such attacks in Saarlouis, it is said. He is said to have said: "Something like that should burn or happen here too." The man who has now been convicted is said to have been influenced and encouraged by this statement. The court must now decide whether to admit the charges.
- This incident in Saarlouis brings to light the legacy of extremism, as the suspect is known for holding national socialist and racist beliefs.
- The trial revealed that the suspect visited a restaurant in Saarlouis prior to the arson attack, discussing racist attacks in eastern Germany and expressing a desire for similar events to occur locally.
- The conviction of the 52-year-old for the arson attack at the home for asylum seekers marked a significant milestone in combating hate crimes and fires, which have unfortunately become associated with extremist ideologies.
Source: www.dpa.com
