Augustine M. is said to have ignited in the Galeria Kaufhof Photo: Michael Körner
By Anne Losensky
District Court, room 606. Augustine M. (27) comes from Ghana. No job, one child. The charge: In autumn 2021 he is said to have set beds on fire in a Berlin department store.
October 30, 2021 is a Saturday. High activity in the Galeria Kaufhof in Mitte. At 2.30 p.m. there are about 50 people on the 4th floor. Suddenly beds are on fire everywhere.
“The air shimmered with heat,” remembers Gerald S. (57). “A shop assistant yelled: He’s setting everything on fire! I got a fire extinguisher. But the man took a burning blanket and wanted to put it on me!” The sales representative defends himself (burns on his hands). The suspected arsonist escapes through the cafeteria and the third floor, continues to ignite.
After ten days in the clinic, he is free again. arrested six weeks later. Instead of being in jail, he’s now in a mental health clinic. Prosecutors want him to stay there. Augustine M. rages: “This is abuse, racism, kidnapping.”
Judge (gently): “Say something about the fires?” M.: “I inform you that this procedure will be stopped! Immediately! Corruption, manipulation! The clinic is not even cleaned, the lemon tea has expired too!”
Judge (patient): “Did you set fire?” The accused (angry): “I demand respect! I want my own doctor! A lawyer who listens!” Judge: “It doesn’t work that way. Sergeant, take him out of the room.” M. (yells): “I’m coming to you!” The defense attorney: “He’s already threatened me…”
The process continues without him. Judgment September 6th.