SPD Seeks Clarity on Solingen Attack Information Flow: Demands Early Testimony in Parliamentary Inquiry
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) faction within the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) state parliament is pushing for the early interrogation of two key state secretaries concerning leaked SMS communication logs following the tragic knife attack in Solingen. The SPD has formally requested the premature summoning of Lorenz Bahr, State Secretary in the Ministry for Refugees, and Daniela Lesmeister, State Secretary in the Ministry of the Interior, before the Parliamentary Investigation Committee (PUA) established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the terror attack that claimed three lives.
The SPD’s application, now available to the German Press Agency (dpa) and reported by the Rheinische Post, underscores growing concerns about the flow of information in the immediate aftermath of the horrific incident. The focus is on whether there was adequate communication between different ministries within the NRW state government, particularly between the CDU-led Interior Ministry and the Green Party-led Ministry for Refugees. The leaked SMS exchanges have fueled suspicions of potential information withholding and a lack of transparency.
The core of the SPD’s concern centers on the perceived lack of timely and comprehensive information sharing between the state secretaries during the critical hours following the attack. According to the publicly available SMS exchanges, Bahr, who serves under Refugee Minister Josefine Paul (Greens), appears to have been actively seeking information from Lesmeister, who serves under Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU). The communication suggests a sense of being kept in the dark, with Bahr repeatedly requesting updates from his colleague.
While Lesmeister initially responded with a brief acknowledgment, the communication logs indicate a significant gap in subsequent updates, spanning several hours. This delay occurred despite reports circulating in the media, even reaching Bahr, suggesting that a suspect had been apprehended in a refugee shelter. The implication is that the Ministry for Refugees, responsible for the welfare of refugees in the state, was seemingly kept uninformed about a crucial development in the investigation.
Lisa Kapteinat, the SPD’s representative on the U-Committee, has been a vocal critic of the state government’s handling of the situation. In late April, she sharply criticized the government, alleging that the CDU-led Interior Ministry deliberately withheld information from its Green coalition partner. This accusation points to a deeper concern about potential political motivations behind the perceived lack of transparency and the potential for undermining the coalition’s collaborative efforts.
The Interior Ministry has offered a contrasting narrative, claiming that Lesmeister did not see the initial inquiry from Bahr and that it was not visible within her message history. The ministry further stated that Lesmeister responded to Bahr’s subsequent inquiries the following morning. However, this explanation has failed to quell the criticism, with questions remaining about the effectiveness of communication protocols within the government during crisis situations.
Bahr himself expressed frustration in the SMS exchanges, stating that his lack of access to timely information hindered his ability to respond to inquiries from the press. Lesmeister echoed this sentiment, suggesting she faced similar challenges in obtaining relevant information. This mutual frustration highlights the potential difficulties in maintaining transparency and effectively communicating with the public when key officials lack access to accurate and up-to-date information.
The underlying context of this investigation is the brutal knife attack that occurred on August 23rd of the previous year in Solingen. Issa Al H., a Syrian national, allegedly killed three people and injured eight others at a city festival. He is currently in custody under suspicion of murder. The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack, adding a layer of complexity and heightened security concerns to the investigation.
The SPD’s push for early testimony from Bahr and Lesmeister signifies the party’s commitment to uncovering the full truth surrounding the incident. The party aims to ascertain whether there were systemic failures in communication and information sharing within the NRW state government. The early summoning of these key officials underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure such communication breakdowns do not occur again in future crisis situations. The investigation is not just about apportioning blame; it is about learning valuable lessons to improve the government’s response to future terror threats and ensuring the safety and security of the citizens of North Rhine-Westphalia. The public, along with the victims’ families, deserve a clear understanding of how the government functioned in the immediate aftermath of this tragedy. The inquiry’s findings could have significant implications for the stability of the ruling coalition and the public’s trust in its leadership.
