Suspect underwent psychiatric evaluation the day prior
In the small town of Einbeck, a tragic incident has sparked a wave of controversy and scrutiny. A 31-year-old suspect, who has remained in Germany despite a rejected asylum application, is at the centre of the case.
The suspect, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, caused a disturbance in Einbeck's town hall, behaving in a conflict-prone and verbally conspicuous manner, and spitting on the floor. As a result, he was issued a ban.
The suspect's past is not without controversy. He was convicted by the Einbeck Local Court to a fine for an exhibitionistic act last year. The Greens have cautioned against hasty blame assignment, while the CDU has spoken of "major oversights" at the state immigration office, calling for fundamental improvements.
The suspect's asylum case has been complex. Initially, the Administrative Court halted his deportation due to his claim of being homosexual and fearing persecution and retraumatization in Lithuania. However, the court later rejected his claim, and a deportation order to Lithuania was issued, enforceable from March 18, 2025. Yet, the suspect's whereabouts remain unclear, and his deportation has not occurred due to various legal or procedural circumstances.
The suspect is currently in a psychiatric clinic, having been discharged against the advice of doctors due to the absence of any indications of external or self-endangerment. He was placed on an outpatient basis in a psychiatric facility in Göttingen from August 10.
The tragic incident occurred on August 11, when the suspect allegedly pushed a 16-year-old girl from Ukraine against a goods train, resulting in her death. DNA traces of the suspect were found on the victim's shoulder, according to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Göttingen.
The case has been the subject of intense discussion in the Interior Committee of the State Parliament. Lower Saxony's Police President Axel Brockmann provided details about the day of the crime. The absence of Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) during the committee meeting has caused some debate.
Opposition MPs have sharply criticized the minister's absence, while the AfD has spoken of a "dysfunctional system" and criticized both the police and the state immigration office. AfD parliamentary deputy Stephan Bothe accused the interior minister of not presenting a good image on the issue.
SPD MP Alexander Saade, a former police officer, could not detect any misconduct by the police in the handling of the case. The CDU and AfD have requested that Behrens be summoned, and Bothe has demanded the resignation of the president of the state immigration office.
Ministry spokesman Oliver Grimm stated that the meeting was for factual and substantive clarification. The controversy surrounding this case continues to unfold, with many questions remaining unanswered.
