Hanau Attack: Prosecution Declines to Reopen Investigation into Allegations
Five years after the racially motivated attack in Hanau, Germany, prosecutors have rejected a request to reopen or initiate new investigations into allegations made by the parents of one of the victims.
The parents of a man killed in the attack had recently filed criminal charges against several individuals, authorities, and institutions. The allegations included claims that the emergency exit door at the Arena Bar, one of the crime scenes on February 19, 2020, was deliberately blocked.
Another allegation targeted members of the Main-Kinzig district’s weapons authority for negligent homicide. However, the prosecution stated that there was still no evidence that officials in this authority had knowledge of or should have been aware of the perpetrator’s online publications.
After examining the allegations, the prosecution determined that "there was no initial suspicion of a criminal offense" in twelve cases. In other cases, "no new factual basis" was presented that would allow for the reopening of investigations, the prosecution said.
Cases involving allegations against the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Federal Public Prosecutor, and a psychiatric hospital have been referred to the respective competent authorities.
In Hanau, a 43-year-old German man shot and killed nine people with racist motives on February 19, 2020. He then killed his mother and himself.
A few days ago, the Hanau Public Prosecutor’s Office rejected a complaint filed by another bereaved family, declining to initiate new investigations into allegations of the police emergency line being unreachable on the night of the attack. Upon re-examination, the prosecution found no "criminally relevant misconduct" by senior police officers.
Allegations and Investigations
The allegations made by the victims’ parents were multifaceted and raised serious concerns about the handling of the attack and its aftermath.
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Blocked Emergency Exit: The parents alleged that the emergency exit door at the Arena Bar was deliberately locked or blocked, preventing patrons from escaping the gunman. This claim has been a subject of intense debate and speculation.
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Weapons Authority Negligence: The Eltern alleged that the Main-Kinzig district’s weapons authority negligently allowed the perpetrator to legally obtain the firearms used in the attack. They claimed that the authority should have been aware of the perpetrator’s extremist views and should have revoked his gun permits.
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Police Communication Breakdown: The parents also alleged that the police response to the attack was inadequate due to communication breakdowns. They claimed that the police emergency line was unreachable or unresponsive, hindering the reporting of the attack and the coordination of a timely response.
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Institutional Failures: The parents raised concerns about the actions of various institutions, including the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), the Bundesanwaltschaft (Federal Public Prosecutor), and a psychiatric hospital where the perpetrator had been treated. They alleged that these institutions failed to adequately monitor or intervene with the perpetrator, despite having received warning signs about his extremist behavior.
Prosecution’s Response
The prosecution’s decision to reject the reopening or initiation of new investigations has been met with disappointment by the victims’ families and their supporters.
The prosecution’s reasoning for the decision has been primarily based on the lack of sufficient evidence to support the allegations. The prosecution has stated that it has conducted thorough investigations into the allegations and has not found any criminal offenses that warrant further investigation.
The prosecution’s position is likely to face further scrutiny and criticism. The victims’ families and their advocates are likely to continue to press for further investigations and accountability for any wrongdoing that may have contributed to the attack.
Ongoing Concerns and Impact
The Hanau attack was a horrific tragedy that raised fundamental questions about racism, xenophobia, and the security of minority communities in Germany. The ongoing allegations and investigations surrounding the attack highlight the need for thorough and impartial accountability in cases of such extreme violence.
The families of the victims deserve closure and justice. The public deserves to know the truth about what happened that night and whether there were any systemic failures or individual negligence that could have been prevented.
The rejection of the reopening of investigations by the prosecution is a setback in the quest for accountability. However, it is important to emphasize that the investigations are not closed and that new evidence or information could emerge in the future. The families and their supporters will continue to seek justice for their loved ones.
