Dormagen murder case: Proceedings dropped against 12-year-old suspect

The Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office has discontinued legal proceedings against a suspect in the killing of 14-year-old Yosef in Dormagen. The decision was made because the suspect was twelve years old at the time of the incident, and under German law, children under the age of 14 are not criminally responsible.

Investigators stated there is no doubt regarding the suspect's guilt, having identified him through forensic evidence including DNA and fiber traces. The incident, which occurred in late January, involved the suspect luring Yosef into a trap and inflicting fatal stab and cut wounds. Authorities noted the motive appeared to stem from personal disputes between the two boys, who knew each other from school, and ruled out racist motives.

Yosef, an Eritrean national living in a communal refugee shelter, was found dead by an angler near a forest lake. The case previously sparked political debate regarding the age of criminal responsibility. While the suspect cannot be prosecuted under criminal law, the youth welfare office has been overseeing his care since February, and he currently resides in a supervised facility.