extremism
30 years arson attack: Federal President expected in Solingen
A plaque commemorates the victims of the arson attack on the spot where the house of the Turkish Genc family once stood. photo
© Martin Gerten/dpa
In 1993, right-wing extremists set fire to a residential building in Solingen. Five Turkish girls and women die. On the anniversary, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is coming to the city for a commemorative event.
On the 30th anniversary of the racist arson attack in Solingen, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected in the city this Monday. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), other heads of the state government and President of the State Parliament André Kuper have also confirmed their attendance. Deputy Foreign Minister Yasin Ekrem Serim wants to speak for Turkey.
30 years ago, on May 29, 1993, five Turkish girls and women died when right-wing extremists set fire to the house of the Genç family: Saime Genç (4), Hülya Genç (9), Gülüstan Öztürk (12), Hatice Genç (18) and Gursun Ince (27). The attack is considered one of the most serious racist crimes in the history of the Federal Republic.
Perpetrators long since released from prison
In 1993, images of the burnt-out house of the Genç family went around the world. The fire ruins have long since been demolished. Large chestnut trees fill the vacant lot. Shortly after the crime, four young people from Solingen between the ages of 16 and 23 were arrested. You belonged to the right-wing scene and were convicted of murder in 1995. You have been released from prison for a long time.
The North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament had already commemorated the victims of the arson attack with a minute’s silence on Friday. Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) and the leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP parliamentary groups thanked the Genç family for staying in Germany and for working towards reconciliation.
Federal Cross of Merit for Mevlüde Genç
Mevlüde Genç died last October. After the assassination, she called for prudence and repeatedly warned that hatred must be stopped. She later received the Federal Cross of Merit for her commitment. Her son Kalil and his wife Hatice Genç announced a few days ago that they wanted to continue the efforts of their mother and mother-in-law.