Losing Trust in the Rule of Law: The Solingen Knife Attack and the Story of a Deported Syrian
In the wake of the tragic knife attack in Solingen that claimed three lives and left eight others injured, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has raised questions about the local authorities' handling of a particular case in North Rhine-Westphalia. As quoted by "Der Spiegel," Scholz pointed out why a 26-year-old Syrian, who was legally supposed to be deported to Bulgaria, was never shipped off by the authorities.
Curiously, Scholz himself wondered aloud about the perpetrator's continued presence in Germany: "I'm just as curious as everyone else to know why that was the case." This individual, who hails from Bulgaria, was due for deportation from the EU this past year, but allegedly vanished from his accommodation, with no subsequent efforts seemingly undertaken.
Emphasizing that it wasn't his intention to pass judgment, Scholz claimed he was concerned with understanding the circumstances that led to this outcome. He sought to learn why there was only one attempt to visit the suspect in his accommodation, and why further visits weren't made or why the authorities failed to extend the deadline for return. He admitted that there may have been such a possibility.
Feeling the Pulse of Public Confusion
Scholz acknowledged the growing unease among citizens about the rule of law. "I share their confusion as well," he admitted. "We've established regulations to facilitate his deportation. We have the ability to detain individuals who we believe may evade deportation in detention facilities for deportation," the Federal Chancellor explained. This provision now allows for a detention period of up to 28 days.
Last week's incident at a Solingen city festival sparked a heated debate about deportations and potential inadequacies in the authorities' handling of the situation. The suspected perpetrator was apprehended on Saturday and has been in custody since Sunday. Authorities suspect an Islamist background to the attack, stoking the flames of the debate.
Unpacking the Syrian Deportation Case
Scholz's remarks about the 26-year-old Syrian sheds light on the issue of deportations. By questioning why the efforts to deport him, who should have been returned to Bulgaria, were not successful, the Chancellor has drawn attention to the complexities involved in such cases. The federal leader acknowledged the public's growing concerns about the implementation of deportation policies.
While Scholz's government has actively pursued deportation cases, obstacles such as legal and practical hurdles, human rights concerns, and lack of coordination between authorities often hinder the process. In light of cases like this, it's clear that there is still much work to be done to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
