THE main suspect in the killing last month of local German politician Walter Luebcke has withdrawn his confession, sources close to the case informed dpa on Tuesday.

The federal prosecutor’s office declined to confirm that Stephan E, a known-right-wing activist with a criminal record, had taken the decision to withdraw his confession to the murder perpetrated on the terrace of Luebcke’s home near the city of Kassel on June 2.

According to public broadcaster SWR, the withdrawal is a tactical move.

However, citing investigators on the case, SWR said that the original confession made by the suspect was so detailed that his retraction is expected to have little effect on the inquiry going forward.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Federal Court of Justice formally issued a warrant for the arrest and detention of Stephan E, who was first detained on June 15. His full name is being withheld under standard German legal convention.

A new warrant was required after federal agents took over the murder investigation on the grounds that it was politically motivated. The first warrant was issued by the local court in Kassel in mid-June.

The 45-year-old accused was brought to the Karlsruhe court by helicopter before appearing.

Stephan E has previous convictions and had come under investigation by the domestic intelligence services for his political activities, but over recent years he had dropped off their radar.

Luebcke, 65, a supporter of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s refugee polices, had been the target of threats for his pro-refugee attitudes.

The German authorities are investigating the possibility that Stephan E was not acting alone and have uncovered a cache of buried weapons connected to the case, including the murder weapon, a .38 handgun.

Two other men linked to the alleged killer have also been arrested, and an investigation at local level is proceeding into two others with apparent links to the weapons found.

According to various media reports, in his confession to Luebcke’s assassination, Stephan E said that he had had access to five different firearms, including a pump gun and an Uzi machine pistol. (dpa/NAN)

– July 2, 2019 @ 14:05 GMT |