German synagogue attack trial: horror video released

The broadcast of the video recording of the attempted attack in October 2019 against a German synagogue by the extremist Stephan Balliet moved the audience, this Wednesday, July 22, during the second day of this trial, some plaintiffs choosing to leave the room. Other viewers covered their ears, looked down so as not to see the footage, or held hands in cheering, while watching the half-hour video.

To read also: Killer of Halle: opening of the trial of the German who wanted to kill Jews

The 28-year-old German, the impassive face, again expressed no remorse about his attack on October 9, 2019 on the religious building in Halle (Saxony-Anhalt), in the east of the country, in the middle of Yom Kippur , one of the most important religious holidays in Judaism. The accused himself had recorded and broadcast live on the internet his misdeeds in which, failing to be able to commit a massacre in the synagogue, he had shot two people in the street and a kebab restaurant.

He was inspired by Brenton Tarrant, the author of the racist attacks in Christchurch in New Zealand committed a few months earlier against two mosques which had killed 51 people, and who had also broadcast his crimes live. We see in this video how the shooter, shaved head, dressed in military uniform and armed with several rifles that he had made himself and grenades, tries to force the door of the synagogue in which were 52 faithful.

"Good-for-nothing"

The door resisting his shots, he then throws over the wall several grenades and molotov cocktails but which will do little or no damage.

After having made several anti-Semitic remarks and aware of his obvious failure, the young man disparages himself in English on several occasions, calling himself " good-for-nothing ". Comments he reiterated Tuesday at the opening of his trial where he described his attack as " desperate " and " failure ".

“ Attacking the synagogue was not a mistake, they are my enemies, ” Balliet said. Federal prosecutor Kai Lohse pointed out to him that everyone has the right to life, regardless of their origin or religion. " You will have a little time to think about it, " he said, referring to the life sentence with a safety sentence of 15 years from which he is probably at risk of suffering.