Far-right terrorist in German synagogue attack admits to shootings on Judaism’s holiest day

The Canary


The suspect in an attack on a German synagogue that left two people dead has reportedly admitted carrying out the shooting.

Two people outside the synagogue were shot dead by the attacker after he failed to gain entry to the building.

News agency dpa reported that the man admitted to the crime and a right-wing extremist motive, and federal prosecutors say he testified for several hours.

The German, identified by prosecutors as Stephan B, was ordered to be held in custody pending formal charges at a closed-door hearing before a judge on Thursday night.

He is suspected of two counts of murder and seven of attempted murder over the attack in the city of Halle.

Germany Shooting
Dozens of floral tributes have been left at the scene in the city of Halle (Jens Meyer/AP)

Related articles

The suspect’s lawyer, Hans-Dieter Weber, told broadcaster Suedwestrundfunk on Friday “it would be pointless to dispute anything, and he didn’t do that”.

The attack happened on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day, and was broadcast live on a popular streaming site.

We need your help ...

The coronavirus pandemic is changing our world, fast. And we will do all we can to keep bringing you news and analysis throughout. But we are worried about maintaining enough income to pay our staff and minimal overheads.

Now, more than ever, we need a vibrant, independent media that holds the government to account and calls it out when it puts vested economic interests above human lives. We need a media that shows solidarity with the people most affected by the crisis – and one that can help to build a world based on collaboration and compassion.

We have been fighting against an establishment that is trying to shut us down. And like most independent media, we don’t have the deep pockets of investors to call on to bail us out.

Can you help by chipping in a few pounds each month?

The Canary Support us

Related articles