Third suspect wanted in fatal Chemnitz stabbing

Picture of suspect Farhad Ramazan
Picture of suspect Farhad Ramazan Copyright Supplied by Polizei Sachsen
By Amy Chung with Associated Press
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

Search starts for third suspect in fatal Chemnitz stabbing

ADVERTISEMENT

German police are searching for a third suspect connected to the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old Chemnitz man that sparked divisive far-right demonstrations in the city after the initial two suspects were revealed as asylum seekers.

Saxony police have named 22-year-old asylum seeker, Farhad Ramazan from Iraq, as the third suspect and warn the public to be vigilant as he may be armed. Moreover, worrisome questions are being raised about the suspects' true identities and how they gained entry into Germany after authorities discovered counterfeit documents on one of the men.

Who are the suspects?

The first suspect, Alaa S., allegedly from Syria, is being investigated by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

The second suspect, Yousif A, had submitted Iraqi documents during his asylum procedure, which proved to be "total counterfeits," the Federal Bureau of Migration and Refugees said.

According to German interior minister Horst Seehofer, Yousif A., presented an Iraqi passport, citizenship documents and a national identity card to authorities last November. Those were determined to be fake, but not until June this year.

The deadline was missed to return Yousif A. to Bulgaria, the country responsible for his case under European legislation dictating that migrants must apply for asylum in the country where they first entered the EU.

The rejection of his asylum application is not yet final.

Seehofer said the oversight was due to a shortfall in highly specialised document experts available at the migration office — an issue the minister had already identified and is in the process of rectifying.

"Such delays and mistakes need to be prevented," Seehofer said.

Tensions rise

Reuters
A demonstrator of the far-right "Pro Chemnitz" group holds a placard reading "Whoever does not love Germany, should leave Germany" in ChemnitzReuters

After the fatal stabbing of Daniel Hillig in late August following an altercation, the atmosphere in Chemnitz turned aggressive — sparking far-right protests, Nazi salutes by demonstrators, and xenophobic attacks made toward individuals who appeared to be migrants. The heated demonstrations, which attracted several thousand people, were hosted by anti-immigration party, Alternative for Germany (AFD) and the anti-Islam Pegida movement.

Reuters
Anti-racism concert on Monday in ChemnitzReuters

On the other hand, many Germans pushed for solidarity against the far-right movement by hosting their own counter protests and holding an ‘anti-racism’ concert on Monday in Chemnitz that brought 65,000 concert goers together to rally against the recent attacks.

Merkel to visit Chemnitz

Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to visit Chemnitz in October. She's said to host a public dialogue to address immigration issues after the xenophobic attacks in the city. No concrete date has been set.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Germany’s far right is converging | View

Rishi Sunak gets respite as UK MPs back Rwanda migration bill

Albania to host migrants arriving to Italy pending processing of asylum applications