Three months after investigators uncovered a neo-Nazi cell that murdered
10 people, Germany is commemorating the victims of far-right extremists
with a memorial service in Berlin and a nationwide moment of silence.
Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the Berlin memorial service attended
by around 1,200 people, including relatives of the 10 thought to have
been killed by a neo-Nazi cell that targeted immigrants.
Merkel said the murders were a scandal for Germany. "We will do
everything to solve the murders and to bring the perpetrators to
justice," she promised. She also asked for forgiveness from the families
of the victims.
"No one can erase the mourning and the loneliness," she said, referring
to the years it took for police to make any headway in solving the
murders as well as the cases in which relatives were themselves
suspects. "We can all show you today, that you are no longer alone with
your sadness. We feel with you, we mourn with you."
The neo-Nazi cell was discovered in November, when two of the members
were found dead in an apparent suicide pact. A third member turned
herself in, but is refusing to cooperate with police.
The NSU is believed to have carried out a series of murders across the
country that left eight Turkish-German businesspeople, a Greek man and a
police officer dead.
Investigations into the group are ongoing.
