‘Germany has not learned lessons of past racist terror attacks’

HANAU, Germany

German authorities are still underestimating the far-right threat despite dozens of deadly attacks by right-wing extremists in recent years, according to Cetin Gultekin, who lost his brother in the Hanau terror attack.

"There have been many racist attacks and nothing has changed. If Germany had learned lessons from attacks like Molln and Solingen in the 90s, my brother would be alive today,” Gultekin told Anadolu, as the families of the victims marked the third anniversary of the attack.

Gultekin’s brother Gokhan was among the nine migrants killed by far-right extremist Tobias Rathjen, who opened fire at people in two cafes in the German city of Hanau on Feb. 19, 2020.

The assailant was known to German authorities for his extremist views, Gultekin said, adding that he even posted a manifesto on social media, but the authorities failed to take the necessary measures to stop him.

On the day of the attack, police failed to arrive promptly despite multiple calls for help by the victims, he added.

“Authorities now admit their mistakes, they tell us that we are right. But if we are right, then you have to do what is necessary so that we will not die elsewhere after Hanau,” he said.

“If we are right, then those who failed to perform their duty properly should face criminal prosecution. The lack of prosecution, encourages racists even more,” he stressed.

Germany has witnessed growing racism in recent years fueled by far-right parties, which have exploited fears about a refugee crisis.

Authorities are facing criticism, especially from human rights organizations, for underestimating the far-right threat and not seriously investigating crimes committed by right-wing extremists.

Far-right terror has claimed the lives of at least 218 innocent people in the country since 1989, according to the Amadeu Antonio Foundation.