Trial of the Solingen attack: Witness fears for the safety of his family

Trial of the Solingen attack: Witness fears for the safety of his family

On June 27, 2025, the trial surrounding the devastating terrorist attack in Solingen will be the focus of reporting. In this attack on August 23, 2024, which took place during a city festival, three people were killed and nine others were injured. The terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the bloody act, and the accused Syrian Issa al Hassan, who shouted “Allahu Akbar” that same evening, was arrested a short time later. Twenty-five hours after the crime, the crucial tip-off about him came from the Turkish intelligence service.

But the court is not only concerned with the terrible acts themselves, but also the background that led to the 27-year-old's radicalization. According to reports from WDR, NDR and SZ, Issa al Hassan became radicalized over a long period of time. Starting in 2019, he began searching the vastness of the Internet for IS battle songs and information. He had previously left his home of Deir al-Sor in Syria and lived in Turkey and the Syrian-Turkish border region. At the end of 2022 he came to Germany and applied for asylum to avoid refusing military service.

Witnesses and disturbing revelations

The negotiations are characterized by surprises. A witness who appears to be the defendant's cousin caused a stir by initially refusing to testify. He expressed concerns about his family's safety in Syria. However, the presiding judge made it clear that he had no right to refuse to testify, which ultimately led the witness to speak. He reported that Issa al Hassan belonged to the IS terrorist militia in Syria and was responsible for brutal punitive actions, such as beheading and chopping off hands. He claimed to have seen the defendant with a Kalashnikov and money and had the same surname as Issa al Hassan. Another person from prison, a roommate of the defendant, also caused trouble when he claimed that he had never discussed politics or religion with him.

The information found on the defendant's cell phone is particularly revealing. A picture of a refugee accommodation in Paderborn was saved there, with the sentence: “Are you also proud to belong to Daesh?” This gives a deep insight into the defendant's mentality. Nevertheless, the defense never tires of pointing out the uncertainties in the witness statements, which they dismiss as hearsay.

The scope of the process

The trial at the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court is of enormous importance. The federal prosecutor's office accuses the defendant not only of three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder, but also of membership in a terrorist organization. The plaintiff is expected to substantiate the allegations with a wealth of evidence. Witness reports, cell phone data and psychological reports will play crucial roles.

Issa al Hassan confessed to the attack himself, but refused to comment on individual points, in particular his IS affiliation. Experts consider the complexity of his case critical. Information about the defendant's mental state from a psychiatrist indicates that he felt manipulated. But the Federal Prosecutor's Office is firmly convinced that the defendant acted in a planned manner.

The course of the trial is likely to continue to cause a stir and lead to both a legal dispute and social discussions about radicalization and terrorism in Germany.

For detailed information and the latest developments in this case, see further reports World and daily news to find.