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In the trial of what was probably the first murder of a politician in the Federal Republic on far-right motives, the prosecution pleaded guilty. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office demanded life imprisonment for Stephan Ernst, accused in the Walter Lübcke case, and the determination of the particular gravity of the guilt. This makes early release after 15 years unlikely.
Ernst confessed to shooting Lübcke in June 2019 on the terrace of his home in Wolfhagen-Istha, Hesse. He is also accused of attempting to assassinate an Iraqi asylum seeker in January 2016, which Ernst denies.
Prosecutor Dieter Killmer called Ernst’s alleged acts in his guilty plea “attacks by right-wing extremists.” Lübcke had become a target of the attack because of his values.
Ernst’s former work colleague, Markus H., is charged in the process of complicity in the murder. Killmer demanded nine years and eight months in prison for him. Markus H. is said to have influenced Ernst politically.
However, the right-wing extremist was released from pre-trial detention in October because the court no longer saw any urgent suspicions. He is also accused of violating the gun law: he is said to have operated a decorative machine gun.
Ein »Carrera«
Killmer said he had no doubts about the complicity of the alleged accomplice. Markus H. knew of Ernst’s “deep-seated hatred” for Lübcke and supported him in his rejection.
Although Ernst acted alone on the night of the crime. But: “Ernst was not alone in his hatred,” Killmer said. Markus H. is also a “racist”.
The last conference of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office was the first allegation in the process that has been taking place since June. In the new year, the co-plaintiffs must give their opinion, representing Lübcke’s family and refugees from Iraq, then defense attorneys. A verdict is expected in late January.
