The defence attorney demanded his client's release, citing the lack of evidence, but the court ruled in favour of the prosecution, which insisted on a 10-year prison sentence. The decision has not come into force yet and can be litigated in the Federal Court of Justice.
German national Daniel H. was killed in late August 2018 with a knife during a fight, allegedly involving Alaa S. and an unnamed Iraqi national, who is now on an international wanted list. The plaintiffs, a man who was injured in the same fight, and the victim’s mother and sister, were present at the trial.
The incident provoked a number of right-wing demonstrations across the country.
Germany has welcomed more than a million immigrants since the height of the European refugee crisis in 2015. Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy has provoked criticism from those who say that the security situation in the country has worsened due to the influx of migrants.