Saarlouis
Racist arson attack: charges filed for aiding and abetting
Ghanaian asylum seeker Samuel Yeboah died in the 1991 arson attack. Here is a memorial stone in Saarlouis. photo
© Harald Tittel/dpa
The arson attack took place more than 30 years ago, but the investigation is not over. After the verdict against a 54-year-old, another man will probably have to go to court soon.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has investigated a racist arson attack on an asylum seekers’ home in Saarland Saarlouis brought charges against a second man more than 30 years ago. The federal prosecutor’s office in Karlsruhe said he was suspected of aiding and abetting the murder and attempted murder of 20 people. The suspect represents an “ideology shaped by National Socialist and racist beliefs.”
The 27-year-old asylum seeker Samuel Yeboah from Ghana, West Africa, died in the fire at the asylum seekers’ home in Saarlouis in 1991. Two other residents jumped out of a window and broke bones. 18 other residents were able to escape unharmed. According to the statement, the suspect made positive comments about racist attacks shortly before the attack and thus influenced the later arsonist.
52-year-old sentenced to six years and ten months
He, now 52, was only sentenced in October by the Koblenz Higher Regional Court for the fatal attack to a youth sentence of six years and ten months for, among other things, murder. According to the court, he set the fire for racist motives. The verdict is not yet legally binding.
In the trial before the Koblenz Higher Regional Court, the now accused man was described by several witnesses as the leader of the skinhead scene at the time. He has been in custody since the beginning of June this year.
According to a statement from Monday, he is said to have visited a restaurant in Saarlouis with the already convicted man on the night of September 18th to 19th, 1991. The group also discussed racist attacks in eastern Germany. The man made it clear that he would also like such attacks in Saarlouis, it goes on to say. He is said to have said: “Something like that would have to burn or happen here.” The man who has now been sentenced is said to have been influenced and encouraged by this statement. The court must now decide whether to admit the charges.