An Iraqi man detained over a fatal stabbing of a German man in the eastern German city of Chemnitz has been released after a court hearing.
The 22-year-old had been detained along with another immigrant on suspicion of stabbing to death the 35-year-old German in Chemnitz last month. The killing of Daniel H. triggered large anti-immigrant protests and counterprotests in the eastern German city.
The lawyer for the Iraqi, Ulrich Dost-Roxin, said the prosecutors could not find any evidence linking his client to the stabbing and that witnesses had not been able to identify him.
Dost-Roxin said he was considering taking legal action against those responsible for the unjustified arrest. His client spent three weeks in detention as the potential case against him was investigated.
The district court, however, refused to lift the arrest warrant against a second suspect, a 23-year-old Syrian man, who was also taken into custody over the killing.
Police are searching for a third suspect in the case.
ap/msh (dpa, Reuters, AFP)
Each evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.
-
Hitler salute wolves fight far-right in Chemnitz
10 wolves in Chemnitz
"The Wolves Are Back" is a series of 66 bronze statues of wolves. Some do the Hitler salute, which is usually banned in Germany. Artist Rainer Opolka says the work is meant to remind people of the threat of racism. Far-right sympathizers often use the wolf to describe themselves. The AfD's Björn Höcke used the word recently; Hitler's propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, used it as early as 1928.
-
Hitler salute wolves fight far-right in Chemnitz
Touring Germany
Opolka has brought his statues all around the country to places where racism and xenophobia are on display. They have been on show in Dresden during the anti-immigrant PEGIDA marches, and outside the Munich courthouse during the sentencing of Beate Zschäpe, a member of the neo-Nazi NSU terror cell.
-
Hitler salute wolves fight far-right in Chemnitz
Ready for the far right
When the far-right Pro Chemnitz group launches its newest rally on Friday, both the city's famous Karl Marx statue and the wolves will be watching. While some of the wolves have an aggressive stance, others appear with blindfolds.
-
Hitler salute wolves fight far-right in Chemnitz
Chemnitz fights back
After a series of far-right rallies in early September, Chemnitz has been trying to reclaim its image from the negative headlines. Large banners in the city center decry ethno-nationalism, and an anti-racism concert held under the banner "We are more" attracted some 65,000 people.
-
Hitler salute wolves fight far-right in Chemnitz
Tourist attraction
Officials in Chemnitz have voiced their concern that the unrest will permanently damage the city's image. They've gone to great lengths to distance themselves from the right-wing rallies, and have fast-tracked criminal proceedings for those who committed violence or broke hate-speech laws during the protests.
Author: Elizabeth Schumacher