Syrian man pleads guilty to Solingen knife attack
https://www.dw.com/en/syrian-man-pleads-guilty-to-solingen-knife-attack/a-72683834
A Syrian man who allegedly knifed three people to death at a street festival in the western city of Solingen last August entered a guilty plea as his trial began in Düsseldorf on Tuesday.
Issa Al H., 27, told the court through his lawyer that he bore "heavy blame" and had "killed innocent people," and thus deserved and expected a life sentence.
The attack in Solingen fueled an ongoing debate on asylum policy in Germany, as the suspected attacker, who is thought to have been motivated by extremist Islamist ideology, had been slated for a deportation that failed on organizational grounds.
In addition to the three fatalities, 10 people were injured in the attack, some of them critically.
Long trial expected
The trial has been scheduled to take place over more than 20 days, with testimony to be heard from more than 50 witnesses.
A verdict is likely by September 24.
If the accused receives a guilty verdict, he faces a life sentence in prison followed by preventive detention.
On the first day of his trial, the accused mostly held his head down, raising it only when the judge spoke to him directly.
The suspect is accused by the prosecution of committing the act at the behest of the terrorist group "Islamic State" (IS), something he has so far not admitted.
The group said following the assault that one of its "soldiers" had carried out the crime.
Solingen attack horrified Germany
The attack, which occurred at a festival to celebrate the western city's 650th anniversary, sent shockwaves through Germany.
The chancellor at the time, Olaf Scholz, spoke of a "terrible crime."
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