BGH ruling: 30 years after the fatal arson attack on a refugee home!

BGH ruling: 30 years after the fatal arson attack on a refugee home!

A crucial trial surrounding the tragic arson attack on a refugee accommodation in Saarland in 1991 is now entering another chapter. On Tuesday at 11:00 a.m Federal Court of Justice (BGH) announce the verdict in the second trial in Karlsruhe. The main defendant, a man with connections to the Saarland neo-Nazi scene, has already been legally convicted of murder. A second defendant, however, was acquitted of the allegation of aiding and abetting by the Koblenz Higher Regional Court, but the Federal Prosecutor General is contesting this.

The asylum seeker died in the fire that broke out in September 1991Samuel Kofi Yeboahfrom Ghana. Yeboah suffered from severe burns and, according to witnesses, called for help for between 10 and 15 minutes before he died in hospital. There were 21 people in the accommodation during the incident - all but Yeboah were able to escape to safety. For a long time it remained unclear who had set the fire; The first indications of a racist motive only emerged later.

An unprecedented ruling

In 2007 there was finally a breakthrough: the perpetrator,Peter S., was exposed during a barbecue in the Saarland neo-Nazi scene. In 2011 he was sentenced to a youth prison sentence of 6 years and 10 months, but the verdict before the Federal Court of Justice was only partially positive. While he was punished for the murder of Yeboah, the Federal Court of Justice found that he could not be convicted for the attempted murder of the other 12 residents who were on the ground floor. This has led to heated discussions in recent days, especially among the survivors.

lawyerElberling, who represents the co-plaintiff, speaks of a positive step, as confirmation of the verdict could mean a conclusion to the proceedings. At the same time, he is concerned about the fact that the survivors of the arson attack on the ground floor were not perceived as being harmed. In his eyes, the verdict is not a final step, especially in view of the current developments in racist hate speech against refugees.

An alarming trend

The problems with racially motivated crimes have not diminished recently. According to a recent reporting The number of politically motivated attacks on refugee accommodation is increasing: there were 218 registered incidents in 2024, 51 more than in the previous year. These include 28 violent crimes in which 14 people were injured, including a child. The ongoing attacks raise questions and concerns about the safety of refugees in Germany are extremely justified.

The arson attack in Saarlouis is not alone. There were other incidents, such as an attack on an asylum community in Krumbach, in which suspected right-wing extremists set fire and formed a swastika. Arson attacks and other acts of violence against refugees are a dark tradition in Germany that began over 30 years ago. In view of the upcoming federal election, the political rhetoric of the...AfDfuel further escalations; the party could emerge from the election as the strongest opposition force.

Overall, it is essential that society and politics pay attention to these issues and listen to the victims of racist violence. The upcoming trial is another step on this long journey.