On February 19, 2020, a right-wing extremist murdered nine people in Hanau for racist motives. He then shot his mother adn himself. The survivors of those murdered have been fighting for answers for years. Progress has been slow for years. For years, questions about state responsibility and the guilt of the police and the city have not been conclusively resolved.
More than five years after the attack, the family of the murdered Hamza Kurtović Constitutional complaint filed. Despite the open questions, the responsible public prosecutor’s offices have stopped investigations several times. All attempts by those affected to force the public prosecutor’s office to investigate through a court order have also failed. The constitutional complaint is one of the last options for clarification.For the first time, we are publishing extensive documents that show how state institutions dealt with the racist attack – and what findings ther are on important questions. In May 2023 we had already published an internal police report on the matter.
### Could the Arena Bar patrons have escaped through the emergency exit?
A central question in dealing with the attack concerns the emergency exit of the Arena Bar. In the bar, the perpetrator shot the two guests Hamza Kurtović and Said Nesar Hashemi and injured several people. A comprehensive reconstruction of events in the bar by the association “Forensic Architecture” shows: Most of the guests in the Arena Bar had enough time to escape through the emergency exit after the first sighting of the perpetrator – including the two murdered people. According to the documents, numerous witnesses agree as to why they didn’t run to the emergency exit: All the regular guests knew that the emergency exit was locked.
witness statement about the emergency exit
Table of Contents
From the enforcement of the lawsuit
A witness reports that in 2017 – three years before the attack – a police officer was said to have asked
Public Prosecutor’s Office Confirms Investigation into Alleged Data Leak from Hessian Police
The Frankfurt public prosecutor’s office has confirmed it is investigating allegations of a data leak involving the Hessian police.The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by the investigative journalism platform Frag den Staat (Ask the State).
According to a statement released by the public prosecutor’s office, the investigation focuses on potential violations of data protection regulations. Frag den Staat alleges that internal police documents, including sensitive information about individuals, were leaked and are now circulating online.
The platform claims to have obtained evidence suggesting a significant breach of data security within the Hessian police force. The leaked documents reportedly contain personal data, potentially exposing individuals to risks such as identity theft or harassment.
The public prosecutor’s office has not yet disclosed specific details about the scope of the investigation or the nature of the leaked data. However, they have stated that they are taking the allegations seriously and are working to determine the extent of the breach and identify those responsible.
This investigation comes amid growing concerns about data security and privacy within German law enforcement agencies. Frag den Staat has previously highlighted vulnerabilities in government data protection practices and has called for greater transparency and accountability.
The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for the Hessian police and could lead to calls for improved data security measures and stricter penalties for data breaches.
Why didn’t Vili-Viorel Păun reach the emergency call?
On the evening of the attack, Vili-Viorel Păun pursued the perpetrator in his car across Hanau before he, too, was shot. During this time, Păun called the emergency number several times without success. The family’s accusation: If the emergency call had worked, Păun might still be alive. Police officers on the other end of the line would probably have asked him to stop the chase.
But also in this case the Hanau public prosecutor said the investigation will begin in January 2025. The documents show that problems with the emergency call in Hanau had been known for years. They also show the Păun family’s efforts to educate. The question of the emergency call not working is also part of the constitutional complaint that the family of the murdered Hamza Kurtović has now filed.
What kind of documents do we publish?
The documents show the processing of the attack. The documents include correspondence with politicians, statements from witnesses, an application to compel legal action and decisions of the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court. The documents show how the bereaved are persistently pressing for the state to take responsibility, fully clarify what happened and admit mistakes. Authorities investigated, but repeatedly dropped criminal proceedings or denied responsibility.
Why are we publishing the documents?
It is important to transparently document how the racist attack was dealt with by the city, public prosecutors and courts – and where there may be gaps or contradictions. Anyone interested can use the documents to see for themselves how well the work has been done so far. The letters, resolutions and minutes show how the state collected, organized and evaluated evidence, statements and arguments.
Understanding the Hanau Attack Documents: A Guide to Responsible Viewing
The documents related to the Hanau attack offer a deeply detailed and often harrowing account of the events and their impact.Before accessing these materials, it’s crucial to understand their potential emotional weight and to prioritize your well-being. This guide provides essential information and resources to help you approach these documents responsibly.
The Nature of the Documents
the documents pertaining to the Hanau attack are comprehensive and can be profoundly disturbing. They often contain precise and detailed descriptions of the attacks themselves, bringing the events into sharp focus. This clarity, while critically important for understanding, can also make the suffering of the victims and their families intensely palpable. It’s critically important to remember that alongside these personal accounts, the documents may also include more detached legal assessments and official decisions, which can create a jarring contrast.
Prioritizing Your Well-being
Given the sensitive nature of this material,it is essential to assess your emotional readiness before viewing the documents. Exposure to such detailed accounts of violence can be deeply distressing.
Only proceed if you feel emotionally prepared.
If you anticipate that viewing these documents may cause significant emotional strain, please seek support. Resources are available to help you process difficult emotions and experiences.
* Crisis Hotline: 0800 / 11 10 111 (https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/en/) – This hotline provides confidential, free support 24/7.
* [Insert relevant support organization link here – research a German organization offering trauma support] – (Replace this placeholder with a link to a reputable German organization specializing in trauma support. I cannot provide a specific link without further research to ensure its current validity and relevance.)
Accessing the Hanau Database
You can find the Hanau database here: [To the Hanau database](Link to Hanau database – This link needs to be added based on the original source).
Key Takeaways
* The documents are detailed and potentially disturbing. They contain graphic descriptions of the attacks and their consequences.
* Prioritize your emotional well-being. Only view the documents if you feel prepared and have access to support.
* Support is available. Utilize the crisis hotline or other trauma support organizations if needed.
* Be mindful of the contrast between personal accounts and legal documentation.
This information is intended to help you approach the Hanau attack documents with awareness and care. Remember that taking care of your emotional health is paramount when engaging with sensitive and traumatic material.