By Michael Behrendt and Axel Lier
The family of the stabbed taxi driver is in deep pain. Now Mustafa A. (49) should find his final resting place in his Turkish homeland. On Wednesday, his body was transferred from the Virchow Clinic to Turkey.
A coincidence apparently led to Mustafa A. being hit: According to BZ information, the father of two daughters was standing with his taxi at the Südkreuz train station on April 6th – the day of the crime. And in fourth place.
However, the 24-year-old alleged perpetrator chose the shortest route for himself and did not go to the front of the line, but got on at his later victim. Mustafa A. accepted the passenger order and was stabbed a little later on Brahmsstrasse in Grunewald.
Forensic investigators examine the taxi in which Mustafa A. was stabbed Photo: Joerg Bergmann
The Berlin taxi driver Uwe A. (58) is shocked: “I’m also often at the Südkreuz and take guests. I had that day off. Otherwise it could have hit me, too.” According to the driver, the fear is now even more at the wheel than usual. After all, you can’t tell by looking at anyone that they’re dangerous.
The 24-year-old Tunisian was dangerous. A lot. He is said to have killed his partner in Belgium on April 4 and fled. He had been on the wanted list since April 5th. On April 6, he is said to have killed the taxi driver in Berlin.
A relative hung affectionate farewell words from this lantern at the scene of the crime Photo: Joerg Bergmann
A Berlin investigator: “The man had apparently lost all scruples. Can’t imagine what else he could have done.” The suspect is currently in custody and is to be transferred to Berlin.
Family and taxi driver at funeral service
On Thursday, a week after the deadly knife attack, the family said goodbye to the 49-year-old. Numerous taxi drivers also attended the funeral ceremony in the Sehitlik Mosque in Neukölln. The father of a 14-year-old son and a 22-year-old daughter is to be buried in his home village on the Black Sea, as his niece told dpa. “We are in mourning and at the same time in a state of shock,” said the 31-year-old.
The family of the victim’s taxi driver acknowledged the investigations by the police and prosecutors: “So far we have the feeling that they are dealing with the case with great seriousness,” said his niece.
The taxi guild had called for a fundraiser. Organizations that help taxi drivers who have become victims of crime have also pledged financial help. So far, according to information from the Gustav Hartmann Support Association, 5,000 euros and 20,000 euros have been promised by the Taxi Foundation Germany. “We are incredibly grateful for the great support from the taxi drivers and their institutions. That is not a matter of course,” said the niece.