Mayor visits Illerkirchberg victim's family – and clarifies the asylum discussion

Created: 12/08/2022 11:51 am

By: Marcus Giebel

The bloody deed in Illerkirchberg moved all of Germany.

The mayor condemns the knife attack and explains why he is rarely informed about the life of the asylum seekers in his town.

Munich – Markus Häußler is currently in demand in many roles.

After the knife attack in which a 14-year-old died and a 13-year-old was seriously injured, citizens who fear for general safety in the town want to be reassured.

Because the suspect is a 37-year-old asylum seeker from Eritrea, the bloody deed threatens to become a political issue driven by xenophobia - playing into the hands of opponents of the refugees.

And then there is, above all, the family, who should by no means be left alone in their grief.

All of this must be borne in mind by the mayor of Illerkirchberg, where the deadly attack took place on Monday morning, as the whole of Germany looks to the small community on Baden-Württemberg's border with Bavaria.

The act was "tragic and terrible," says the 37-year-old in an interview with the

.

Illerkirchberg: Mayor visits the family of the 14-year-olds killed – "it was moving"

He himself has now visited children aged two and four and the parents of the girl who was killed to condole with them: “As a family man, it goes through marrow and bone.

You certainly can't understand or empathize with something like that.

But anyone who has children or works with children is affected.

I can't even describe it.

It was moving."

At the same time, he may counteract any newly emerging xenophobia.

Because it is not important who the perpetrator is: “I see it completely independently of whether you are an asylum seeker or not.

For me, the most important thing is that a girl's life was taken at a young age.

And not: The asylum seekers are to blame.

It is the act that is despicable.”

Sea of ​​flowers at the crime scene: The grief in Illerkirchberg is great after the incomprehensible crime.

© dpa

Bloody deed in Illerkirchberg: Mayor hardly informed about life in asylum seeker accommodation

He was not aware of any abnormalities from the accommodation where the 27-year-old lived.

However, the mayor is not the first point of contact either: "We don't notice whether there have been incidents or not.

People have been living there for several years.

The foreigners authority in the district office is responsible for keeping the files.

We would only be informed if, for example, there was damage to property in our accommodation.”

However, there is an intensive exchange between politics and the police, which should be maintained.

It is important to note: “Criminal offenses are the job of the police, we can only give tips, mediate or act preventively.

That works very well.” Regarding the acceptance of refugees, Häußler explains: “We are legally obliged to provide accommodation.

We can't just throw them out the door."

Knife attack in Illerkirchberg: memories of Halloween night 2019 are awakened – "boils up again"

A look into the recent past could also contribute to the current situation.

On Halloween night 2019, a 14-year-old was raped in another asylum seeker accommodation in the community, in the Beutelreusch district.

Four refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan were sentenced to several years in prison.

This also contributes to the concern among the citizens.

"It's boiling up again.

People ask: What, the second time in a very short time - and in Illerkirchberg of all places.

That is of course an issue,” admits Häußler.

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However, he also has positive things to report.

The congregation received expressions of condolence from all over Germany: “The reactions are very, very sensitive.

It's not what you suspect - not emails peppered with anger.” They are to be handed over to the family of the killed girl.

Great sympathy: Several hundred people came to the funeral of the 14-year-old.

© Ralf Zwiebler/dpa

Illerkirchberg in shock: "According to the police, there is no longer a risk"

The independent community leader also took the opportunity to clarify in an open letter that "according to the police, there is no longer a risk".

In addition, Häußler once again points out that districts and municipalities have no leeway when it comes to housing refugees.

This will be decided at the federal and state levels.

The mayor, who has been in office for a good two years, goes on to explain: “In Illerkirchberg, around 50 asylum seekers are currently being accommodated in the five communal connecting accommodations.

In addition, almost 30 refugees from Ukraine live in private apartments.”

14-year-old killed in Illerkirchberg: "Do not put refugees of all nations under general suspicion"

This is followed by an appeal to stand together and to recognize asylum seekers as part of society: "I ask you to continue to be open to the refugees of all nations living with us and not to place them under general suspicion.

The attack on the two girls must be pursued and punished with all consequences - but this insidious crime was committed by a single person, not a group of people."

In doing so, Häußler also addresses the Turkish roots of the family of the victim: "Also with regard to the victims and their families, I think it is important to decisively oppose any expression of xenophobia."