A 28-year old man accused of murdering two people after opening fire on a synagogue in eastern Germany on Yom Kippur last year was led into a courtroom by armed police for the start of his trial on Tuesday.
The suspect, identified as Stephan B., is accused of murder on two counts plus attempted murder and incitement. If convicted, he faces a life sentence.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Wearing a coronavirus face mask, Stephan B. took his seat in the courtroom in handcuffs and looked around the room. The start of the trial was delayed by two hours due to strict security measures.
In attendance were Stephan B.'s original targets: a group of young American Jews who had been in the synagogue during the attack, the owners of a Turkish kabob restaurant where the suspect had made threats to kill everyone inside; and people he wounded. The suspect looked directly at them.
When describing in court how he murdered two non-Jewish Germans out of frustration at not having been able to breach the synagogue and kill Jews as he had planned, he giggled.
The suspect made racist remarks throughout his testimony, some directed at Muslims and blacks. Twice, the presiding judge warned him that she would have him removed from the courtroom if he continued to make racist statements.
Video: Reuters
The judge asked Stephan B. why he had chosen Yom Kippur as the day to perpetrate the attack.
"Because it's a day when the Jews pray to God three times to cancel all the obligations they took on themselves," he responded. "The Jews are the main ones responsible for the genocide being committed against the white man," he said.
Stephan B. also said that the Jews had brought Muslims to Germany and wanted to "build a new world."
Prosecutors say Stephan B. has confessed to the crimes of which he is accused. He is facing 13 different criminal counts for last year's attack, which he live-streamed.
Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said the killer must face the full force of the law and that the Halle attack showed how right-wing populists and extremists have become more brazen.
"The state must not slacken in its battle against right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism, and racism. A clear verdict on the deeds of Stephan B. would send a clear signal against violence and right-wing extremism in Germany," said Schuster.
Anti-Semitic crimes are particularly sensitive in Germany due to the legacy of the Holocaust. Local police have drawn criticism for leaving the house of worship unprotected and not realizing it was Yom Kippur.
The number of anti-Semitic crimes committed in Germany rose by 13% last year, Germany's interior minister said in May, laying the blame on right-wing radicals.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
