German prosecutor interrogates individual in arson attack resulting in death of Turkish family

A German prosecutor has interrogated a suspect in connection with a fatal arson attack in Solingen, a city in northwestern Germany, which resulted in the death of a Turkish-Bulgarian family and injuries to over a dozen individuals

The prosecutor’s office, in a statement released Friday, mentioned that the individual detained after the Thursday attack underwent a lengthy questioning session but is still being viewed as a potential suspect.

The statement did not disclose further information about the suspect or the fire’s cause, although it noted that leads were obtained during the interrogation. 

Authorities have appealed to witnesses or anyone with information about the fire to come forward. 

A fire that occurred on Monday at a four-story residence in Solingen claimed the lives of a man, his wife, and their two children, who were Bulgarian nationals of Turkish descent.

Emergency services rescued up to 21 people from the building, with nine sustaining severe injuries, including two individuals in critical condition.

Among the injured were Turkish citizens. 

In 1993, the Solingen arson attack, perpetrated by far-right extremists, resulted in the deaths of five members of a Turkish immigrant family, marking one of the most egregious incidents of racist violence in contemporary Germany.

The attack, fueled by anti-immigrant sentiments following German reunification, targeted the family’s home, leading to the deaths of three girls and two women, as well as injuries to 14 others, including several children. 

Law enforcement arrested four individuals linked to the far-right movement, who were subsequently convicted and sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison.

After serving their sentences, they were released. 

Source: AA