Warum verbrannte Oury Jalloh? (2024)

For some, the case is an unfathomable scandal involving both the police and the judiciary. For others a vast conspiracy theory. What really happened on January 7th 2005 at the police station in Dessau, Germany? One thing is certain: at 12.20pm, the fire brigade found a man in cell no. 5, burnt beyond recognition - Oury Jalloh. For almost 20 years, the death of the asylum seeker from Sierra Leone has caused outrage and an ongoing debate. Conflicting witness testimonies, an unexplained fire and numerous cryptic leads have cast doubt on official explanations and made the case a symbol of alleged police violence and institutional racism.