The helpers of Aschaffenburg do not have to leave for the time being

Despite a rejected asylum application, a brave helper in persecution of the alleged attacker of Aschaffenburg does not have to leave for the time being. A deportation of the Somali citizen to Italy “is not in the room until further notice,” said a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior at the request of the German Press Agency. Previously, the “Main-Echo” had reported that the man was obliged to leave.

The Ministry of the Interior announced that reports on a threatening deportation of the man were based on a “misunderstanding”. The Somalier had received toleration, especially because it is considered an important witness in the investigation against the alleged attacker of Aschaffenburg. These tolerations would be created and extended regularly, said a ministry spokeswoman. “So here too.”

In asylum law, “tolerance” refers to a temporary residence status for foreigners who are subject to departure, which for certain reasons cannot be deported. It is not a residence permit, but the temporary suspension of the deportation.

According to DPA information, the man’s asylum application was rejected in the course of a so-called third-state notice in May 2024-so well before the events in Aschaffenburg in January 2025. A lawsuit against the rejection also failed.

According to the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior, the Somalier had initially entered Italy and was already recognized there as a refugee. According to the rules of the so-called Dublin procedure, it is not intended that in this case it is granted asylum in another EU country.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the brave helper can still hope to stay in Germany longer: As the next step, the immigration authority will approve an application by the Somalier to grant a employment permit, the Ministry in Munich said. “In this way, he can work as desired, make a living as soon as possible and intensify the efforts to integrate – and thus open the prerequisites for a prospect of staying in Germany if he wants that.”

The Somalier “proven determination and courage in the terrible act of violence in Aschaffenburg in an outstanding manner,” said the Ministry. “He made a name for himself around Aschaffenburg and Bavaria and gave an example of civil courage that deserves recognition and maximum respect.”

According to “Main-Echo”, the man will receive the Christopherus medal for his commitment from the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU). The State Chancellery had confirmed the authenticity of Söder’s letter of thank you to the man. The State Chancellery initially did not comment on the dpa request.

On January 22, a mentally ill Afghan in a park in Aschaffenburg probably killed a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old with a knife. Three people were seriously injured.

The investigation in this case has not yet been completed. The public prosecutor may apply for a so -called security procedure so that the man is permanently under psychiatry.

The case of the Somalier is reminiscent of a refugee in Würzburg, who courageously stood in the way of a knife attacker in Würzburg in 2021. This man was also threatened with deportation. The Würzburg administrative court decided in 2023 that the Kurd, who has Iranian citizenship, may remain in Germany.

At the time, according to the refugee’s lawyer, the court justified that the asylum seeker threatened problems in his home country in his home country. The refugee received a residence permit for three years and can then apply for naturalization.