Fear of terrorism in the Augsburg Arena
Firecracker thrower in Bundesliga has to go to prison for three years
April 22, 2024, 2:45 p.m
Tens of thousands of people in the Augsburg stadium will be put in fear of terrorism in November, according to the verdict against the perpetrator. Twelve people are injured. The Hoffenheim fan therefore has to spend several years in prison.
A 28-year-old Hoffenheim fan has been sentenced to three years in prison for throwing a firecracker during a Bundesliga soccer game. When the firecracker, which is not registered in Germany, was ignited, twelve people were injured, including several children.
Presiding judge Christoph Kern emphasized that it was not a normal case of pyrotechnics in the stadium. Rather, it was about a “massive explosive incident” that put 26,000 people in the Augsburg stadium in fear of terrorism, he said in the verdict. Such firecrackers would also be used to destroy ATMs. It’s “stunning” that this so-called Mamba firecracker exploded right next to two children. The game between FC Augsburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (1-1) was interrupted for several minutes on November 11, 2023, also to treat the injured.
The 28-year-old made an extensive confession and apologized several times. “It was just stupid,” he said at the end of the proceedings. Through the trial he learned how dangerous his crime was. He also paid compensation to a victim who will probably suffer from tinnitus for the rest of his life because of the firecracker.
The public prosecutor’s office had demanded four years and ten months in prison and described it as a “particularly reckless” act. The perpetrator wanted to achieve “maximum attention”. The defense attorney, on the other hand, had argued for a two-year prison sentence, which should be suspended. The lawyer pointed out that the 28-year-old had already been in custody for more than five months.
Three acquaintances of his were in court with the main defendant. They had incited the firecracker thrower or supported him in committing the crime. They received prison sentences that were suspended for aiding and abetting an explosive explosion and causing grievous bodily harm. The verdict is not yet legally binding.
The trial also made headlines because of the person of the chairman of the criminal chamber. Because Kern is also honorary president of the Bavarian Football Association. However, an application for bias against the judge because of his official activities was rejected by the regional court.