Trial in Leipzig
Gil Ofarim: That’s how bad the man he falsely accused is feeling
“Westin” hotel in Leipzig: scene of the alleged anti-Semitism scandal involving musician Gil Ofarim
© Jan Woitas / DPA
Markus W. was accused by Gil Ofarim of being an anti-Semite. A claim that has now turned out to be false. But Markus W. can no longer get his old life back.
W. had known this for a long time; for two years he had to go through life with the certainty that he was the victim of a false statement. This has irreversible consequences for him. He still suffers from sleep disorders and is receiving psychological treatment, he said in his interrogation in the Leipzig regional court. Also the job in Westin Leipzig He no longer has it: “It’s hard when you walk around in the same rooms over and over again. It always catches up with you. It’s never gone away.”
The days and weeks after Ofarim’s accusations are burned into his memory: the phone “kept ringing, a demonstration had been announced in front of the hotel.” The colleagues were crying and it was dramatic, really bad.” The pressure was “unimaginable,” said W. He sought safety in a secret location.
Gil Ofarim: Markus W. still suffers today because of his false statement
The work of a forensic scientist was particularly helpful in the investigation. Dirk Labudde dissected the case down to the last detail and answered the question of whether Ofarim really wore the Star of David necklace in a clearly visible manner.
That’s what he has for The surveillance camera videos were “first broken down into individual images and their quality was improved using classic image processing techniques and artificial intelligence,” as the expert reported to the court. He couldn’t find Ofarim’s chain, but other details such as a wooden chain and even the individual rivets on Ofarim’s leather jacket.
In a second step, the forensic scientist re-enacted the incident with extras in the hotel in question. Ofarim even gave up his Star of David necklace.
When readjusting, a difference could be seen, a clear reflection of the chain. This must mean that the chain could not have been seen during the actual incident in 2021.
An observation that was able to exonerate Markus W. – alongside many witness statements. Gil Ofarim’s subsequent confession changed a lot for the hotel manager: “The allegations are true. Mr. W., I would like to apologize to you, I am sorry,” said Ofarim on November 28th in room 115 of the Leipzig Regional Court. W. accepted the apology. Possibly the beginning of a new beginning.