Ceremony themed ‘Together’ on the 20th anniversary of the racist attack on Turkish street in Cologne

A ceremony themed ‘Together’ was organized in Cologne, Germany, on the 20th anniversary of the racist attack targeting Keup Street, also known as the Turkish street. In Cologne, Germany, a ceremony was held on June 9, 2004, to mark the 20th anniversary of the racist attack. The ‘Together’ themed festival organized on the anniversary of the bomb attack carried out by the National Socialist Underground (NSU) Terrorist Organization was attended by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, North Rhine-Westphalia State Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, Turkish Consul General in Cologne Turan Kaya, and Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by the victims of the attack and many citizens, German President Steinmeier stated, ‘This continues to be a certificate of disgrace for our country that we must live together with. We cannot undo what has happened.’ Steinmeier also said, ‘Based on today’s information, we know clearly that the state needed to systematically monitor the radical right in the 90s and fight more decisively against the radical right.’ He added, ‘However, the definite purpose of all these evaluations is that we want and can do better in the future.’ Following the ceremony, Steinmeier visited the businesses injured in the bomb attack.
Prior to the festival, police took extensive precautions due to the discovery of a suspicious package. The police conducted searches in the area, evacuated people on the street to another location, and cordoned off the area for security. The German police announced that security measures were increased in the area due to the discovery of a suspicious package.
Racist attack on Keup Street: The NSU Terrorist Organization carried out a nail bomb attack on a street where Turkish businesses were located on June 9, 2004, injuring a total of 22 people, 6 of them severely. The businesses suffered significant damage. The then Interior Minister Otto Schily stated that there was no racist motive behind the attack, and reports in the media suggested that the attacks were related to mafia conflicts.
Years later, it was revealed that the attack in Keup Street was carried out by the racist NSU terrorist organization. After a 5-year trial that ended in 2018, 5 suspects were sentenced to various penalties.