Berlin's unsolved murder of Burak Bektaş exposes far-right violence in Neukölln
Berlin’s Neukölln district has faced persistent far-right violence since 2009, with over 70 unsolved crimes linked to extremism. The murder of Burak Bektaş that same year remains unresolved, despite ongoing calls for justice. Recent convictions and repeated vandalism of his memorial have kept the case in the public eye. Burak Bektaş was killed in 2009 in what investigators suspect was a racially motivated attack. His murder has never been solved, and activists from the Initiative for the Investigation of Burak Bektaş’s Murder continue to push for answers. A memorial erected in his honour in 2018 has been targeted multiple times, including incidents in April 2018 and March 2023.
The Neukölln investigative committee has criticised the Berlin State Criminal Police Office for its handling of the case. Their report, due in spring 2023, suggests the original investigation was inadequate. Meanwhile, a suspended police officer was convicted in January 2023 for leaking classified information, though not for direct ties to neo-Nazi groups. Bianca Klose of *Mobile Counseling Against Right-Wing Extremism* warns that far-right networks in the area remain active and capable of further violence. Since 2009, over 70 incidents—ranging from vandalism to intimidation—have been recorded, many of which stay unsolved.
The unsolved murder of Burak Bektaş and the ongoing vandalism of his memorial highlight the persistence of far-right activity in Neukölln. With the investigative committee’s final report expected soon, activists and officials alike are demanding stronger action. The case remains a stark reminder of the challenges in addressing extremist violence in the district.
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