Defendant in “Antifa Ost” trial dies – lawyer makes allegations against court

In the Dresden trial against alleged members of the so-called “Antifa East”, a 38-year-old defendant named Henry A. died. According to consistent reports from MDR and “taz”, the Leipzig man had been in a coma since mid-August after several suicide attempts.

Henry A. last appeared in court on August 12th after he was taken from a psychiatric clinic to Dresden. Three days later, according to his defense, he attempted suicide again, which he survived with serious complications.

His lawyer Felix Isensee is now making serious allegations against the Dresden Higher Regional Court. “The court has a duty of care towards the defendants in criminal proceedings, which was disregarded here,” Isensee told the “taz”. The Dresden Higher Regional Court has not yet commented on the allegations.

According to the defense, A. was brought from the clinic to the main hearing despite suffering from mental illness. There had previously been different medical assessments: According to the defense, his treating doctor advised against traveling to Dresden; However, an expert appointed by the court considered him fit to stand trial.

The defense had repeatedly called for the proceedings to be separated, citing their client's fragile mental state. Another lawyer is quoted in the MDR report, who is also part of A.'s legal team. According to her, Henry A. was clearly under the influence of the sedative drug Tavor during one of his last statements. Her client appeared to her to be depressed and limited in his perception. She described the court's treatment of her client as “unworthy” on behalf of the other defendants and defense lawyers.

Seven other suspected members of the group also known as “Antifa East” have been on trial in Dresden since November. They have to answer before the higher regional court in the Saxon capital for attacks on neo-Nazis. In addition to the attacks in Budapest, the prosecution also accuses them of crimes in Germany. Henry A. accused the public prosecutor of taking part in an attack on neo-Nazis in Wurzen.