Family of Hanau victim demands justice six years later

Remembering the Victims of Hanau - Wulff Calls for Diversity - Hanau attack victims remembered six years after racist killings

Six years after the deadly Hanau attack, relatives and friends gathered to remember Hamza Kurtović, one of nine victims killed in a racist shooting. Former German President Christian Wulff joined the memorial, calling for stronger action against discrimination and intolerance in society.

The ceremony took place at Kurtović's graveside, where his father, Armin, and other mourners honoured his memory amid ongoing frustration over the handling of the case.

On February 19, 2020, a 43-year-old gunman targeted two shisha bars in Hanau, killing nine people—most with migrant backgrounds—before murdering his mother and taking his own life. The attack shocked Germany and exposed deep concerns about far-right extremism and systemic failures in addressing racism.

Wulff, speaking at the memorial, criticised the country's habit of ignoring discrimination. He stood alongside Armin Kurtović, who has long accused authorities of neglecting key details, including a locked emergency exit at one crime scene. The family's legal battle continues: last November, they filed a complaint with Germany's Federal Constitutional Court, arguing investigators failed to fully examine the attack's circumstances.

Among the attendees were Beate Hofmann, bishop of the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck, and Oliver Dainow, managing director of Hanau's Jewish community. Their presence underscored the broader solidarity against racist violence, even as families like the Kurtovićs face unresolved questions.

Since the attack, public frustration has grown over rising far-right influence—highlighted by the AfD's record 2023 result in Hesse—and perceived inaction by authorities. Yet initiatives, such as Serpil Temiz Unvar's Bildungsinitiative Ferhat Unvar, keep pushing for change through education and advocacy.

The memorial marked another year of grief for Hamza Kurtović's family, still seeking justice and accountability. Wulff's call for a firmer stance on diversity reflects wider demands for systemic reform.

As legal challenges and activism persist, the Hanau attack remains a stark reminder of the work needed to combat racism and support affected communities.