A number of suspicious items have been found in the home of a man suspected of killing four Bulgarian Turks last year in the German city of Solingen, DPA reported. Several gas guns, pyrotechnics, machetes, many petrol bottles and incendiary devices were found during the search, a witness in the case against the 40-year-old man said.
"The police dog sniffed out so many objects that it didn't know where to go first," she said.
A night vision device and a device that can be used to see around corners were also found. Numerous disposable, cut-resistant gloves, several mobile phones and a marijuana plantation with 12 plants were also found. A "dark web" site was also found on his laptop, which has since been blocked by the police and could have been used to procure drugs.
A financial investigator testified that the defendant, who is a German citizen, had debts of over 20,000 euros, while at the same time being a recipient of unemployment benefits. In addition, shortly before another arson attack near the crime scene, he bought gasoline for 17 euros.
The suspected murderer and arsonist has already made a full confession. In the fatal fire on March 25, 2024, a Bulgarian family died in Solingen - the 28- and 29-year-old parents and their two daughters - one 3 years old and the other a few months old.
According to DPA, the fire broke out in the stairwell of the old building, with the family living on the top floor. The fire spread to the roof within five minutes due to the so-called "chimney effect". There were "clear traces of flammable liquid" on the staircase.
When the fire brigade arrived, the wooden staircase was already engulfed in flames and the escape route was blocked. Several residents jumped out of windows in a panic.
The defendant admitted to several arsons, as well as a machete attack carried out after the arson. The 40-year-old man is on trial in the city of Wuppertal for four murders and attempted murder of up to 21 people. The trial will continue.