Held or more illegal? The future of Ahmed Odowaa in Bavaria is on the brink!

Held or more illegal? The future of Ahmed Odowaa in Bavaria is on the brink!

Aschaffenburg, Deutschland - The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior plans to open a prospect of staying the Somali refugee Ahmed Mohamed Odowaa. This happens against the background of his courageous action in January 2024, when he helped to put an assassin who killed a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man in Aschaffenburg. For his support, Odowaa received a grateful letter from the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU). Despite this award, it was originally planned that Odowaa had to leave Germany until the beginning of July 2024.

The immigration authority is now planning to approved its application for an employment permit. This would give Odowaa the opportunity to work in Germany and thus enable him more self -determination. In addition, a return to Italy will not be carried out for the time being, where Odowaa was previously recognized as part of the Dublin system, but expressed violent criticism of the living conditions there.

political reactions and support

The chair of the Green Group in the Bavarian state parliament, Katharina Schulze, paid tribute to Odowaa's civil courage and demands a thorough examination of his integration options. In addition, Karl Kopp, Managing Director of Pro Asyl, emphasized the urgent need for an right to stay for Odowaa. He pointed out that over 45,000 people signed two petitions to support Odowaa.

odovaa came to Germany in January 2024 and immediately applied for asylum after he had experienced discrimination in Italy due to his skin color and origin. In Italy he was granted subsidiary protection, but this led to an obligation to leave. A decision by the Federal Office for Asylum and Refugees (BAMF) from May 2024, against which Odowaa complained, was rejected before the Würzburg Administrative Court and the case was forwarded to the central immigration authority.

refugee status and asylum regulations

In Germany, the Federal Office of Migration and Refugees (BAMF) check whether there is a need for protection. There are different forms of protective granting, including asylum permissions and refugee protection in accordance with the legal requirements. For Odowaa, subsidiary protection is relevant that comes into force if there is no refugee protection or asylum authorization, which means, among other things, that there is a risk of serious damage in its country of origin.

The regulations stipulate that people who receive subsidiary protection can initially remain for one year with the possibility of extending two more years. Access to the labor market is also possible for these people without restrictions, which is important for Odowaa in order to be able to live an independent life.

support services for asylum seekers

asylum seekers in Germany are entitled to receive support services according to the Asylum Seekers Benefit Act (AsylumBlG) if they are in need. These services cover the physical subsistence level, including food, accommodation, heating and health care. From January 1, 2024, the maximum performance for single asylum seekers is 460 euros per month. After 18 months of stay in Germany, asylum seekers are also entitled to social assistance.

Developments in the Ahmed Mohamed Odowaa case are an expression of the complex challenges that the German asylum system faces. With the planned new right to stay and the support of numerous citizens, his fate could turn to the positive, while at the same time the political and social discussions about asylum law and integration opportunities continue in Germany.

Further information is on the pages of Integration officer and the UNO refugee aid Available.