Migrants accused of burning down refugee centre in Ramadan row over Nutella could go free
TWO MIGRANTS who were accused of burning down a refugee centre and causing £8.5million worth of damage in a row over Ramadan could be let off.
Multiple witnesses have been interrogated by the courts in recent weeks
The men, known only as Adel Z and Mohammed B, were wanted under a police warrant - but a court has today lifted the restriction claiming there was an “absence of an urgent need for action".
The pair are likely to walk out of court free men tomorrow amid reports they will be acquitted for the arson attack.
Both had initially been charged with setting fire to a conference hall in Dusseldorf, Germany, in an attack that saw huge hundred-metre high billows of smoke fill the air above the city.
German Red Cross employees reported the arson attack took place on June 7 as a result of heightened tensions during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting that sees Muslims avoid food during the daytime.
Blaze breaks out at Dusseldorf refugee shelter
The attack that saw huge hundred-metre high billows of smoke fill the air above the city
While the centre cancelled ordinary lunchtime meals to the dismay of non-Muslims, a spread of cold food was made available during the day for migrants who were not observing the religious holiday.
But it is believed the perpetrators were angry that Nutella and confectionary was being made available during daylight hours.
Multiple witnesses have been interrogated by the courts in recent weeks - with prosecutors facing difficulties in organising translators during questioning and writing statements.
It was triggered by a dispute about food during Ramadan
One witness, an Iranian man in his forties, claimed he had seen Adel Z pouring a bottle of vodka on a mattress and lighting it.
However a roommate later provided an alibi for the 27-year-old, revealing he was with the suspect at the time the hall was set ablaze.
It was also revealed Mohammed B, who was suspected of being the ring leader of the attack, was also not in the area of the fire at the time.
The pair are likely to walk out of court free men tomorrow
German Red Cross employees reported the arson attack took place on June 7
Blaze breaks out at Dusseldorf refugee shelter
The hall, which was previously used for staging conferences and exhibitions but was now being used as a migrant centre, was burned down completely in the attack - leaving 26 people injured.
It is believed to have caused more than £8.5 million (€10million) worth of damage and will have to be completely rebuilt.
A spokesman for the state court said: “It was triggered by a dispute about food during Ramadan.”