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- A Magdeburg court sentenced the perpetrator to life imprisonment with subsequent preventive detention.
- After the perpetrator tried unsuccessfully to reach the synagogue in Halle in 2019, he murdered two people and injured others, some seriously.
Judges found the 28-year-old guilty of double murder and attempted murder in 51 cases on Monday in Magdeburg and also found the guilt to be particularly grave.
They sentenced the perpetrator to life imprisonment with subsequent preventive detention. An early release from prison after 15 years is almost impossible. The appeal against the judgment can be lodged with the Federal Court of Justice of Germany.
It was a “cowardly attack,” presiding judge Ursula Mertens said when the verdict was announced Monday. The defendant had relativized his actions and motives in many places.
Supporters of conspiracy theories
The 28-year-old perpetrator attempted to enter the synagogue in Halle on October 9, 2019, Yom Kippur, the highest Jewish holiday. He threw incendiary devices and explosives, but was unable to open the door. He then murdered a passerby in front of the synagogue and a young man at a nearby kebab shop. In his flight he injured several people, some seriously.
During the trial, the perpetrator confessed his actions and justified them with conspiracy theories. He openly displayed his racist, anti-Semitic and anti-feminist sentiments. He was arrogant and tried several times to irritate those affected on the stand. He showed no remorse.
Totally guilty despite personality disorder
Psychiatric expert Norbert Leygraf testified that the assailant was totally guilty, but also had a complex personality disorder with characteristics of schizophrenia, paranoia and autism. The expert paints a picture of a person who failed in life: he had no friends, never had an affair, or a job.
Better practices
The president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, stated that the procedure should serve as a model for law enforcement agencies and courts in Germany.
“It’s not uncommon for us in the judiciary to have vision problems in the right eye,” said Schuster. “At the trial against Halle’s killer, however, they looked closely. This attitude, not that of the perpetrator, must find imitators. “
Today is an important day for Germany.
The verdict is important to the relatives of the two slain and to all the people who narrowly escaped death on Yom Kippur 2019, says Schuster. Many of them had given testimony during the trial or had come forward as joint plaintiffs. With their appearances they would have opposed the hatred of the perpetrating humanity.
Schuster continued: “Today is an important day for Germany. Because the verdict makes it clear that murderous hatred of Jews does not meet any tolerance. “
