{"id":294,"date":"2006-07-03T08:40:33","date_gmt":"2006-07-03T12:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/letters-from-munich-231-240\/"},"modified":"2006-07-03T08:40:33","modified_gmt":"2006-07-03T12:40:33","slug":"letters-from-munich-231-240","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/letters-from-munich-231-240\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters from Munich 231-240"},"content":{"rendered":"

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 240<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 16 September 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week (from an article on the World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, by Dietmar Henning, 30 November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201cThe accusation that Renate Kantelberg put words in the mouths of the witnesses is hardly comprehensible. The investigating authorities not only have signed statements, but they also have hours of audio and video recordings. Moreover, it is indisputable that the police investigation of Joseph\u2019s death was sloppily done and that numerous leads were not pursued, even though the suspicion that a crime had been committed was widespread, right from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 16. September 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes (aus einem Artikel auf der World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, von Dietmar Henning, 30. November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201eAuch der Vorwurf, die Aussagen seien den Zeugen durch Renate Kantelberg in den Mund gelegt worden, ist kaum nachvollziehbar, lagen den Ermittlungsbeh\u00f6rden doch nicht nur die unterschriebenen Aussagen, sondern auch stundenlange Tonband- und Videomitschnitte vor. Es ist zudem unbestritten, dass die Polizei nach dem Tode Josephs schlampig ermittelt hat und zahlreichen Hinweisen nicht nachgegangen ist, obwohl der Verdacht eines Verbrechens von Anfang an in der Luft lag.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 239<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 9 September 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week (from an article on the World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, by Dietmar Henning, 30 November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201cThe statement by the chief public prosecutor in Dresden, who had by this time terminated the original investigation into the Joseph Abdulla case, is full of blatant errors. There is no mention of the fact that the main witness against the accused, who on 16 October had repeated his statements in sworn testimony before a judge in a cross-examination that lasted four hours, completely retracted that testimony before the local district attorney only five weeks later. Couldn\u2019t the climate of intimidation that had prevailed in Sebnitz since the case became known have played a role here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 9. September 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes (aus einem Artikel auf der World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, von Dietmar Henning, 30. November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201eDie Erkl\u00e4rung der Dresdener Generalstaatsanwaltschaft, die bereits die urspr\u00fcnglichen Ermittlungen im Fall Joseph Abdulla eingestellt hatte, strotz von offensichtlichen Widerspr\u00fcchen. So ist nicht einzusehen, weshalb der Hauptbelastungszeuge, der noch am 16. Oktober seine Aussagen in einer vierst\u00fcndigen richterlichen Vernehmung best\u00e4tigt hatte, nur f\u00fcnf Wochen sp\u00e4ter vor der Staatsanwaltschaft v\u00f6llig umgekippt sein soll. K\u00f6nnte hier nicht das Klima der Einsch\u00fcchterung, das seit dem Bekannt werden des Falles in Sebnitz herrscht, eine Rolle gespielt haben?\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 238<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 2 September 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week (from an article on the World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, by Dietmar Henning, 30 November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now the government of the State of Saxony went on the offensive. Shortly after the district attorney\u2019s press conference, Saxony\u2019s Prime Minister, Kurt Biedenkopf, made a surprise appearance before the press and directed sharp attacks at the media and Pfeiffer, the criminologist from Lower Saxony. The Abdulla-Kantelberg family now took on the role of people who were fouling their own nest, and the people of Sebnitz were the victims, including those who had up until now been suspects in the affair. The latter, after being released from police custody, were even received by Mike Ruckh, the local Christian Democrat mayor. Biedenkopf loudly made the denunciation that the town of Sebnitz had been damaged, and all of eastern Germany had been denigrated. Pfeiffer, who had become Lower Saxony\u2019s justice minister designate, was \u2018negligent\u2019 in the way he had handled \u2018such difficult matters\u2019. Biedenkopf considered him unsuited for the office of justice minister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 2. September 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes (aus einem Artikel auf der World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, von Dietmar Henning, 30. November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201eNun ging auch die s\u00e4chsische Landesregierung in die Gegenoffensive. Kurz nach der Pressekonferenz der Staatsanwaltschaft trat Ministerpr\u00e4sident Kurt Biedenkopf \u00fcberraschend vor die Presse und richtete schwere Angriffe gegen die Medien und den nieders\u00e4chsischen Kriminologen Pfeiffer. Die Familie Abdulla-Kantelberg erschien nun pl\u00f6tzlich als Nestbeschmutzer, die Bewohner von Sebnitz als Opfer – einschlie\u00dflich der weiterhin unter Tatverdacht Stehenden, die nach ihrer Entlassung aus der Untersuchungshaft vom \u00f6rtlichen CDU-Oberb\u00fcrgermeister Mike Ruckh empfangen wurden. Sebnitz habe Schaden genommen, ganz Ostedeutschland sei verunglimpft worden, wetterte Biedenkopf. Pfeiffer, der designierte Justizminister von Niedersachen, sei \u201afahrl\u00e4ssig mit so schwierigen Fragen\u2019 umgegangen. Er, Biedenkopf, halte ihn nicht geeignet f\u00fcr das Amt des Justizministers.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 237<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 26 August 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week (from an article on the World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, by Dietmar Henning, 30 November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next day, the district attorney\u2019s office that was investigating the case went even further and called all of the statements of witnesses into question. \u2018All the witnesses declared that the contents of their written statements were the result of leading questions posed by the parents,\u2019 the district attorney\u2019s office explained. Moreover, the witnesses had received monetary compensation for their statements. There was not even any connection with right-wing extremists, although the district attorney\u2019s office did concede that one of the suspects had once been investigated \u2018for suspected right-wing actions that were punishable offenses\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 26. August 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes (aus einem Artikel auf der World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, von Dietmar Henning, 30. November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201eAm folgenden Tag ging die ermittelnde Staatsanwaltschaft noch weiter und stellte alle Zeugenaussagen in Frage. \u201aS\u00e4mtliche Zeugen haben erkl\u00e4rt, dass die schriftlichen Erkl\u00e4rungen auf suggestive Befragung durch die Eltern des Joseph zur\u00fcckzuf\u00fchren seien,\u2019 hei\u00dft es in einer entsprechenden Mitteilung. Die Zeugen h\u00e4tten au\u00dferdem f\u00fcr ihre Aussagen Geld bekommen. Auch eine Verbindung zur rechtsradikalen Szene gebe es nicht, obwohl – wie die Staatsanwaltschaft zugab – gegen einen der drei Verd\u00e4chtigten schon fr\u00fcher wegen des \u201aVerdachts einer rechtsextremistischen Straftat\u2019 ermittelt worden war.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 236<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 19 August 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week (from an article on the World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, by Dietmar Henning, 30 November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201cThe investigation into Joseph\u2019s death was re-opened in October this year. On 21 and 22 November, the police arrested three young suspects. Five or six days later they were again set free, on the grounds that there was some doubt as to the credibility of the main witness. This witness, who was twelve at the time of the incident, could not clearly recognize two of the suspects after looking at three-year-old photographs. One suspect had an \u2018iron-clad alibi\u2019 and even though the investigation of the other two continued, there was no reason to keep them in police custody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 19. August 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes (aus einem Artikel auf der World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, von Dietmar Henning, 30. November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201eDie Ermittlungen werden daraufhin im Oktober wieder aufgenommen. Am 21. und 22. November verhaftet die Polizei drei dringend tatverd\u00e4chtige junge Personen. F\u00fcnf bzw. sechs Tage sp\u00e4ter werden sie wieder auf freien Fu\u00df gesetzt mit der Begr\u00fcndung, an der Glaubw\u00fcrdigkeit des Hauptbelastungszeugen gebe es Zweifel. Der damals zw\u00f6lfj\u00e4hrige Junge habe zwei von ihnen auf drei Jahre alten Fotos nicht eindeutig wiedererkennen k\u00f6nnen. Ein Verd\u00e4chtiger habe ein \u201aunersch\u00fctterliches Alibi\u2019. Gegen die beiden anderen werde weiter ermittelt, der Verdacht rechtfertige aber keine Haft mehr.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 235<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 12 August 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week (from an article on the World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, by Dietmar Henning, 30 November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201cThe distinguished and well-known Institute for Criminological Research of Lower Saxony, under the leadership of Lower Saxony\u2019s interior minister designate, Christian Pfeiffer, came to the same conclusion after analyzing the statements of seventeen witnesses and the results of the investigation at the University of Giessen. On 24 July 2000, the institute came in part to this conclusion: \u201cThe statement of the young witness\u2026appears altogether credible. The descriptions of events found in both statements are particularly rich in detail, but they also contain other indications that they are credible.\u2019 The \u2018physical abuse with a stun gun\u2019 ought \u2018to be regarded as indisputable\u2019, since it is mentioned by an adult who volunteered the information.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 12. August 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes (aus einem Artikel auf der World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen Joseph Abdulla\u201d, von Dietmar Henning, 30. November 2000, www.wsws.org\/de\/2000\/nov2000\/jose-n30.shtml):<\/p>\n

\u201eAuch das renommierte Kriminologische Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen unter Leitung des designierten nieders\u00e4chsischen Innenministers Christian Pfeiffer gelangt zu diesem Schluss, nachdem es 17 Zeugenaussagen und das Ergebnis der Universit\u00e4tsklinik Gie\u00dfen analysiert hat. Es kommt am 24. Juli dieses Jahres zum Ergebnis: \u201aDie Aussage des Jungen… erscheint insgesamt glaubhaft. Die Schilderungen in beiden Erkl\u00e4rungen sind insbesondere von Detailreichtum, aber auch anderen Glaubw\u00fcrdigkeitssignalen gepr\u00e4gt.\u2019 Die \u201aElektroschockmisshandlung\u2019 d\u00fcrfe als \u201aunstreitig zu behandeln sein\u2019, da sie ein Erwachsener auf Anhieb erw\u00e4hnt habe.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 234<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 5 August 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week:<\/p>\n

\u201cOn November 22, at some cost to themselves, the parents had the body of their son exhumed and autopsied a second time at the Institute for Forensic Medicine at the University of Giessen. The institute also received a two-and-a-half-year-old blood sample, together with photographs taken a few days after Joseph\u2019s death; researchers concluded that a hematoma was visible on Joseph\u2019s right ear in the photographs. Moreover, a discolored patch on Joseph\u2019s throat could be seen. There had been \u2018no mention\u2019 of these in the first forensic report. Tests on the blood sample indicated that \u2018despite the blood sample\u2019s advanced state of decomposition, the active agent methylphenidate had been administered\u2019. Methylphenidate is the active ingredient in the tranquilizer Ritalin. The institute concluded that a reopening of the investigation into the cause of death was \u2018advisable\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 5.August 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes:<\/p>\n

\u201eAm 22. November lassen die Eltern ihren Sohn exhumieren und im Institut f\u00fcr Rechtsmedizin der Universit\u00e4t Gie\u00dfen auf eigene Kosten ein zweites Mal untersuchen. Das Universit\u00e4tsinstitut, das au\u00dferdem Fotos und eine zweieinhalb Jahre zuvor entnommene Blutprobe erh\u00e4lt, kommt zu folgendem Ergebnis: Auf Fotos von Joseph, wenige Tage nach seinem Tod aufgenommen, ist ein H\u00e4matom am rechten Ohr erkennbar. Au\u00dferdem eine \u201afleckf\u00f6rmige Halsver\u00e4nderung\u2019, die ebenfalls im ersten medizinischen Bericht \u201akeine Erw\u00e4hnung\u2019 fand. Die Untersuchung der Blutprobe ergibt \u201atrotz der fortgeschrittenen F\u00e4ulnis Hinweise auf eine Verabreichung des Wirkstoffes Methylphenidat\u2019. Dies ist der Wirkstoff des Beruhigungsmittels Ritalin. Eine Wiederaufnahme des Todesermittlungsverfahrens, folgert das Institut, erscheine \u201aangezeigt\u2019.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 233<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 29 July 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe witness who made that statement was twelve years old at the time. He also reported that Joseph was abused with a stun gun, with \u201cseveral electric shocks\u201d: one \u201con the lower stomach, one on the lower part of the right arm, one on the neck, one on the ear, one on the genitals\u201d. This description agrees with that of other eye-witnesses. Several witnesses voluntarily reported what they saw to the Abdulla family, but none of them spoke to the police. Many of them told the family that they were afraid, not only afraid of the right wing \u2013 they would trust no one.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the day after Joseph\u2019s death, there were flowers, candles, and placards at the swimming pool entrance. On one placard was written, \u201cYou murderers, you\u2019re guilty of the death of Joseph Abdulla\u201d. The next day, these expressions of solidarity and grief had disappeared. No one claims to know who removed them. For the time being, Joseph\u2019s gravestone is in the cellar of the family home. Out of fear that his grave might be desecrated by right-wing extremists, the little boy lies buried \u2013 anonymously \u2013 in a cemetery in western Germany, next to his grandfather.<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 29. Juli 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes:<\/p>\n

\u201eDer damals zw\u00f6lfj\u00e4hrige Junge, der diese Aussage machte, hat auch berichtet, dass Joseph mit einem Elektroschocker misshandelt wurde. Mit “mehreren Stromschl\u00e4gen”: einen “im unteren Bauch, einen am rechten Unterarm, einen in den Nacken, einen auf das Ohr, einen auf das Geschlechtsteil”. Diese Schilderung deckt sich mit anderen Zeugenaussagen. Mehrere Zeugen haben sich freiwillig bei der Familie Abdulla gemeldet. Doch niemand von ihnen sprach mit der Polizei. Viele erkl\u00e4rten der Familie, sie h\u00e4tten Angst. Nicht nur vor den Rechten, sie w\u00fcrden niemandem trauen.<\/p>\n

Am Tag nach Josephs Tod lagen Blumen, Kerzen und Plakate am Eingang des Freibades. Auf einem Plakat stand: “Ihr M\u00f6rder, ihr seid Schuld am Tod von Joseph Abdulla”. Am n\u00e4chsten Tag waren diese Bekenntnisse der Solidarit\u00e4t und Trauer verschwunden. Niemand will wissen, wer sie entfernt hat. Das Grabkreuz von Joseph steht inzwischen im Keller der Familie. Aus Angst vor rechtem Vandalismus liegt der kleine Junge auf einem westdeutschen Friedhof neben seinem Gro\u00dfvater begraben – anonym.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 232<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 22 July 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week:<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral young people pulled \u2018Joseph violently by his hands from where he was lying, near the hedge\u2019, to the swimming pool\u2019s kiosk. \u2018The rest of the group was waiting at the counter there.\u2019 Joseph was crying and trying to pull himself free. \u2018You foreign pig\u2019, was what was yelled at the six year old boy. Then one of them held him tight, his mouth was forced open, and a girl \u2018poured the liquid into his mouth.\u2019 Joseph tried to run away. He was gripping the outdoor water taps that project out of the shallow water there. \u2018He was wobbly on his feet. He was crying again loudly\u2019. Then all the young people went to him from the kiosk again and \u2018forced his fingers, one by one, away from where he was hanging on\u2019. They carried him wrapped in a towel toward the deep end of the pool. A young woman who was there yelled, \u2018Just do it, throw him in. The shit foreigner\u2019. And that\u2019s what they did. Then two jumped in after him and \u2018jumped around on his back\u2019. \u2018For about ten minutes\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 22. Juli 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes:<\/p>\n

\u201eMehrere Jugendliche zerrten Joseph \u201amit Gewalt an seinen H\u00e4nden von seinem Liegeplatz an der Hecke\u2019 zum Imbiss des Freibades. \u201aDort wartete die restliche Gruppe an der Theke.\u2019 Joseph weinte und versuchte, sich loszurei\u00dfen. \u201aDu Ausl\u00e4nderschwein\u2019, wurde der Sechsj\u00e4hrige angeschrieen. Dann hielt ihn einer fest, sein Mund wurde aufgerissen und ein M\u00e4dchen \u201agoss ihm die Fl\u00fcssigkeit in den Mund\u2019. Joseph versuchte zu entfliehen. Er hielt sich krampfhaft an Wasserh\u00e4hnen fest, die aus dem flachen Wasser ragten. \u201aEr war wackelig auf den Beinen. Er heulte wieder\u2019. Dann gingen alle Jugendlichen vom Imbiss wieder zu ihm und l\u00f6sten ihm \u201aeinzeln mit Gewalt die Finger von der Stange\u2019. Sie trugen ihn in ein Handtuch gewickelt zum tiefen Teil des Beckens. Dort schrie eine junge Frau: \u201aNa, macht\u2018s endlich, schmei\u00dft ihn schon rein. Schei\u00df Ausl\u00e4nder\u2019. Die Jugendlichen taten dies. Zwei sprangen hinterher und \u201ahopsten auf seinem R\u00fccken herum\u2019. \u201aUngef\u00e4hr zehn Minuten\u2019.”<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

br>
============================<\/p>\n

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 231<\/strong><\/p>\n

EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.)<\/p>\n

Dusseldorf, 15 July 2005<\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Continuation of the letter of last week:<\/p>\n

\u201cEven specialists in forensic medicine were unable to establish any indication that a crime had been committed. \u2018The deceased was not a swimmer. The possibility that he was pushed under the water by other children cannot be excluded.\u2019 The cause of death, they said, was \u2018most likely drowning.\u2019 The possibility of \u2018gross external violence was excluded\u2019. In response to the parents\u2019 complaints when the investigation was halted in the summer of 1998, the chief public prosecutor stated: \u2018Even if the course of events leading to the accident on 13 June cannot be confirmed to the last detail,\u2026the possibility that a third person is to blame for the death of Joseph Abdulla can assuredly be excluded.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWith that, the parents began their own investigation. Nearly twenty people, young persons and adults, documented their observations in signed statements. According to these statements, the \u2018accident\u2019 happened in the following way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued next week.<\/p>\n

Sincerely yours,<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

——————————————————–<\/p>\n

Since many recipients of this letter may read German more easily than they read English, the following is the author\u2019s translation of the above letter. Please note that word-processing programs outside of German-speaking countries may not display all of the letters of the German alphabet correctly.<\/p>\n

Alle Briefe aus M\u00fcnchen sind abrufbar:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/MunichLetters<\/p>\n

D\u00fcsseldorf, den 15. Juli 2005<\/p>\n

Sehr geehrter Herr Graf, sehr geehrte Freunde,<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung des Briefes:<\/p>\n

\u201eAuch die Gerichtsmediziner konnten keine Hinweise auf ein Gewaltverbrechen feststellen. \u201aDer Verstorbene war Nichtschwimmer. Es ist nicht auszuschlie\u00dfen, dass er von anderen Kindern untergetaucht wurde.\u2019 Todesursache sei \u201aam ehesten Ertrinken\u2019. Eine \u201agr\u00f6bere fremde Gewalteinwirkung\u2019 werde ausgeschlossen. Auf die Beschwerde der Eltern gegen die Einstellung der Ermittlungen antwortete der Generalstaatsanwalt im Sommer 1998: \u201aAuch wenn der Ablauf des Ungl\u00fccksfalles am 13. Juni nicht bis ins Detail gekl\u00e4rt werden konnte, … kann sicher ausgeschlossen werden, dass Dritte ein Verschulden am Tode des Joseph Abdulla trifft.\u2019<\/p>\n

Die Eltern ermittelten daraufhin auf eigene Faust. Fast zwanzig Personen, Jugendliche und Erwachsene, bezeugten in unterzeichneten Erkl\u00e4rungen ihre Beobachtungen. Danach spielte sich der \u201aBadeunfall\u2019 folgenderma\u00dfen ab.\u201c<\/p>\n

Fortsetzung n\u00e4chste Woche.<\/p>\n

Mit freundlichen Gr\u00fc\u00dfen<\/p>\n

Robert John Bennett<\/p>\n

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 22<\/p>\n

40219 Dusseldorf<\/p>\n

Germany<\/p>\n

Telephone: +49 211 586 4847<\/p>\n

Mobile: +49 152 0285 4626<\/p>\n

============================<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Letter from Munich – the Joseph Affair \u2013 240 EINE DEUTSCHE FASSUNG STEHT WEITER UNTEN. (German translation below \u2013 German language character set required for correct display.) Dusseldorf, 16 September 2005 Dear Mr. Graf, dear friends, Continuation of the letter of last week (from an article on the World Socialist Website: \u201cDer Tod des sechsjaehrigen […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":167,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-294","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/167"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=294"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/294\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/munichletters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}