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A memorial to Simone Strobel in Lismore, New South Wales
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JASON O'BRIEN / EPA
17 years after the murder of Simone Strobel from Lower Franconia in Australia, two German suspects are not extradited to Australia.
The Federal Office of Justice in Bonn confirmed that the Basic Law stands in the way of this.
Australian authorities had issued arrest warrants for the two.
According to media reports, they are accused of aiding and abetting murder and obstruction of justice.
The now 46-year-old woman and the now 43-year-old man, who live in Bavaria, traveled through Australia in 2005 together with Simone Strobel and her then-boyfriend - who is now the main suspect.
The then 25-year-old Strobel suddenly disappeared while on vacation, and her body was found a few days later.
Strobel's then-boyfriend, who now lives in Australia, was arrested on suspicion of murder at the end of July.
He was released on bail on Friday.
The suspected woman is a sister of the main suspect.
In Germany, too, investigators are still hoping to clear up the case.
According to the Würzburg public prosecutor's office, the case against the woman who lives in Bavaria is still open.
The investigations against the man were initially stopped in 2020.
German investigators surprised
According to their own statements, the local investigators are surprised by the new developments in Australia.
They themselves had no new clues.
They also do not know what new evidence the Australian authorities are citing.
According to the German authorities, there is currently no formal cooperation with Australia.
The Australian media reports that the investigators there are in contact with their colleagues in Germany about the two German suspects.
However, the police and public prosecutor's office in Lower Franconia as well as the Federal Office of Justice denied an official request from Australia.
According to the Federal Justice Office, the Australian authorities could theoretically ask their German colleagues to question the suspects in Bavaria with a request for legal assistance, even in the presence of Australian officials.
However, this has apparently not happened so far.
The suspects face higher penalties in Australia than in Germany, said law professor Greg Taylor, who works in Australia and Germany, of the dpa news agency.
'In Australia there is no maximum penalty for murder.
It's literally possible for life,” Taylor said.
The same goes for aiding and abetting murder.
The basis is the criminal law of the state of New South Wales.
hba/dpa