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Wiesbaden vigil honours Hanau attack victims four years after tragedy

Nine lives lost, a city still grieving. As survivors and families gather, calls grow for accountability—and an end to far-right violence.

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The image shows a group of people standing in front of a building, holding banners and placards...
The image shows a group of people standing in front of a building, holding banners and placards with text on them. There are two people sitting on an object in the foreground, and a dustbin on the right side of the image. In the background, there are buildings with windows, lights, and sign boards, suggesting that the group is participating in a protest in Germany.

Wiesbaden vigil honours Hanau attack victims four years after tragedy

"Hanau – Not an Isolated Case": Commemoration for the Victims of Far-Right Violence

Under the slogan "Hanau – Not an Isolated Case," a memorial event will honor the nine people murdered by a far-right extremist in Hanau on February 19, 2020.

The ceremony also pays tribute to the attack's tenth victim: Ibrahim Akkus, who survived the shooting with severe injuries but died in January from complications related to his wounds.

The Fight for Recognition and Justice

"On this day, we remember not only the ten victims of the Hanau terrorist attack but all those who have fallen to far-right violence in Hesse," says Sascha Schmidt, spokesperson for the alliance behind the event and author of "Far-Right Terror in Hesse." Since 1945, at least 21 people in the state have been killed in far-right attacks. "Seven of them still have not been officially recognized as victims of right-wing violence. Today, we also demand that all victims of such crimes in Hesse receive the acknowledgment they deserve," Schmidt emphasizes.

The group "Grandmothers Against the Far Right Wiesbaden" is also backing the vigil, calling for further investigation. Elke Gerriets states: "Too many questions remain unanswered. How could a police emergency line fail? Why was an emergency exit at one of the crime scenes locked?" The perpetrator had also spread far-right propaganda on social media without authorities taking notice. "We stand with the survivors and families in their demand for thorough and consequential answers," she adds.

Memorial at Dern'sche Gelände

Regina Sagel, another member of "Grandmothers Against the Far Right," underscores the need for broader action: "Effective protection against discrimination in all areas of society is essential. We demand targeted training to combat racism within public institutions, the police, and the judiciary."

The vigil begins at 6:00 PM with an opening address by Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende, followed by a speech from Sascha Schmidt on the victims of far-right violence in Hesse. As in previous years, the Hessian state parliament in Wiesbaden will also hold a silent commemoration.

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