:Murder of Mia Valentin

Mia Valentin was murdered on 27 December 2017 in a drugstore in the town of Kandel.{{cite web|url=http://www.pi-news.net/2018/01/kandel-mia-valentin-platz-gefordert/|title=Kandel: "Mia Valentin"-Platz gefordert!|work=Pi-News|language=German|date=29 January 2018|access-date=28 February 2018|archive-date=1 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164353/http://www.pi-news.net/2018/01/kandel-mia-valentin-platz-gefordert/|url-status=live}} The murderer, Abdul Dawodzai, a former refugee claimant from Afghanistan, had been placed in the same class as Valentin.{{cite magazine |last1=Yascha Mounk |title=Letter from Germany January 28, 2019 Issue How a Teen's Death Has Become a Political Weapon |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/28/how-a-teens-death-has-become-a-political-weapon |accessdate=11 February 2019 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=28 January 2019 |quote=an Afghan refugee, Abdul Mobin Dawodzai, who had been placed in her class at school. |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212024339/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/28/how-a-teens-death-has-become-a-political-weapon |url-status=live }} Dawoodzai and Valentin had had a relationship for several months. In the beginning of December 2017, after she had ended the relationship, he allegedly began to threaten Valentin. She and her parents made complaints to the police in mid-December. On the morning of 27 December 2017, police officers had visited the perpetrator. Later that day, he stabbed Valentin after he followed her into the store, using a 20 cm knife. She died shortly afterwards in hospital.[http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/rheinland-pfalz-polizei-besuchte-jaehrigen-messerstecher-kurz-vor-der-tat-1.3806961 Polizei besuchte 15-jährigen Messerstecher kurz vor der Tat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110140827/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/rheinland-pfalz-polizei-besuchte-jaehrigen-messerstecher-kurz-vor-der-tat-1.3806961 |date=2018-01-10 }}, Sueddeutsche Zeitung The suspect allegedly bought the knife at the same store just before he attacked her.{{cite news|title=Attack on Mia (15) was murder|url=http://www.bild.de/regional/frankfurt/frankfurt-am-main/attacke-auf-mia-war-mord-54495898.bild.html|accessdate=25 January 2018|work=Bild|date=16 January 2018|language=German|quote=he followed the girl and her two young companions to a supermarket. There he bought the knife, with which he later stabbed Mia.|archive-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012641/http://www.bild.de/regional/frankfurt/frankfurt-am-main/attacke-auf-mia-war-mord-54495898.bild.html|url-status=live}}

On 15 December 2017, the victim's parents had filed a criminal complaint, alleging that the suspect had slandered and threatened their daughter.{{cite news|title=Germany: Afghan teen in custody over fatal stabbing|url=https://www.apnews.com/f434f9bf49354d8f9aa7f3c7be5c13bf|accessdate=18 January 2018|publisher=AP|date=28 December 2017|archive-date=19 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119175435/https://www.apnews.com/f434f9bf49354d8f9aa7f3c7be5c13bf|url-status=live}}

The perpetrator was named as Abdul Mobin Dawodzai from Afghanistan. He came to Germany in April 2016 and initially resided in Frankfurt, later in a center for young refugees in Germersheim. His asylum claim was rejected in February 2017, but he was not deported.{{why|date=November 2019}}{{cite news|last1=JANINE WOLLBRETT|title=His asylum application was denied in February 2017|url=http://www.bild.de/news/inland/mord/asylantrag-des-afghanen-wurde-im-februar-2017-abgelehnt-54366582.bild.html|accessdate=25 January 2018|work=Bild|date=3 January 2018|language=German|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124021621/http://www.bild.de/news/inland/mord/asylantrag-des-afghanen-wurde-im-februar-2017-abgelehnt-54366582.bild.html|url-status=live}} The parents of the victim strongly doubted that he was only 15 years old, so an investigation was launched to determine his true age. The perpetrator had been known to the police for a serious bodily injury crime committed in school.

The suspect was charged with murder,{{cite news|title=German prosecutors raise charge in teen's stabbing to murder|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/german-prosecutors-raise-charge-in-teens-stabbing-to-murder|access-date=17 January 2018|agency=AP|publisher=Fox News|date=17 January 2018|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117031722/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/01/16/german-prosecutors-raise-charge-in-teens-stabbing-to-murder.html|url-status=live}} and underwent a medical examination in response to allegations that he had misstated his age. The age assessment was carried out by evaluating X-rays of hand, clavicle and dentition of the suspect. The findings of the examination were presented by the State's attorney in February 2018. These findings concluded that the suspect was at least 17 years and six months old, but most likely around 20.{{cite news|last1=JANINE WOLLBRETT|title=His asylum application was denied in February 2017|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article173769922/Gutachten-Mutmasslicher-Taeter-von-Kandel-war-unter-21-Jahre-alt.html|accessdate=20 February 2018|work=Die Welt|date=20 February 2018|language=German|quote=Mutmaßlicher Täter von Kandel war unter 21 Jahre alt|archive-date=21 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221121428/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article173769922/Gutachten-Mutmasslicher-Taeter-von-Kandel-war-unter-21-Jahre-alt.html|url-status=live}}

He was tried as a minor. Dawodzai's lawyer denied he was older than 20. The prosecution called for a 10 year sentence while the defense attorney asked for a 7.5 year sentence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-refugee-sentenced-to-8-years-and-6-months-for-teen-murder/a-45329347|title=Germany: Refugee sentenced to 8 years and 6 months for teen murder {{!}} DW {{!}} 03.09.2018|last=(www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche Welle|website=DW.COM|language=en|access-date=2018-09-04|archive-date=2018-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904055913/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-refugee-sentenced-to-8-years-and-6-months-for-teen-murder/a-45329347|url-status=live}}

On 3 September 2018, Dawodzai was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months in prison for murder of Valentin. Maximilian Ender, Dawodzai's lawyer said to reporters that he thought the court decision was correct, and that his client had "accepted" the verdict. Locals protested outside the court calling the sentence of 8.5 years for murder too short.

The murder reignited German public debate over refugee policy, in particular, debate over abuse of refugee policy by adult men claiming to be child refugees.{{cite news|last1=Fürstenau|first1=Marcel|title=Opinion: Murder of German girl will have political consequences|url=http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-murder-of-german-girl-will-have-political-consequences/a-41975314|accessdate=18 January 2018|publisher=DW|date=29 December 2017|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118182403/http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-murder-of-german-girl-will-have-political-consequences/a-41975314|url-status=live}}[https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article172161752/Kandel-Warum-der-Tatverdaechtige-nicht-abgeschoben-wurde.html Warum der Tatverdächtige nicht abgeschoben wurde] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111153818/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article172161752/Kandel-Warum-der-Tatverdaechtige-nicht-abgeschoben-wurde.html |date=2018-01-11 }}, Die Welt{{Cite web|url=https://denkorteavis.dk/2018/nye-blodige-begivenheder-har-forvaerret-angela-merkels-problemer-med-udlaendingepolitikken/|title=Den Korte Avis {{!}} Afghaner dræbte Mia på 15 år – nye blodige begivenheder har forværret Angela Merkels problemer med udlændingepolitikken|website=denkorteavis.dk|date=4 January 2018|access-date=2018-12-29|archive-date=2018-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229220304/https://denkorteavis.dk/2018/nye-blodige-begivenheder-har-forvaerret-angela-merkels-problemer-med-udlaendingepolitikken/|url-status=live}}

Several politicians of FDP, CDU, CSU, AfD, SPD and also Green parties demanded a better control of young unaccompanied refugees as a consequence of the case. The authorities of Rhineland-Palatinate began an investigation to determine consequences. Julia Klöckner (CDU) offered condolences to the parents of Mia Valentin and demanded an investigation, as did Eva Högl (SPD). Stephan Mayer (CSU) demanded a hardened course against underage offenders. Alexander Gauland (AfD) stated that the German policies of open borders were responsible for the case. Konstantin von Notz (The Greens) demanded a better prevention and a closer look to the underage unaccompanied refugees. The Interior Minister of Bavaria, Joachim Herrmann (CSU) demanded an age test for all underage refugees who were not clearly recognizable as children.[https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article172033686/Bayerns-Innenminister-Herrmann-fordert-Alterstest-bei-jungen-Fluechtlingen.html Herrmann fordert Alterstest bei jungen Flüchtlingen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105001332/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article172033686/Bayerns-Innenminister-Herrmann-fordert-Alterstest-bei-jungen-Fluechtlingen.html |date=2018-01-05 }}, Die Welt FDP chairman Christian Lindner suggested faster deportation of underage criminal asylum seekers.[https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/kandel-lindner-fuer-abschiebung-minderjaehriger-krimineller-asylbewerber-15367922.html Lindner für Abschiebung minderjähriger krimineller Asylbewerber] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025731/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/kandel-lindner-fuer-abschiebung-minderjaehriger-krimineller-asylbewerber-15367922.html |date=2020-11-09 }}, Frankfurter Allgemeine

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Minister President of Saarland spoke out in favor of obligatory age tests of young refugees,{{Cite web |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article171869703/Annegret-Kramp-Karrenbauer-fuer-verbindliche-Altersfeststellung-bei-minderjaehrigen-Fluechtlingen.html |title=Kramp-Karrenbauer will härteren Umgang mit Asylbewerbern |date=25 December 2017 |access-date=2018-01-13 |archive-date=2017-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226193345/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article171869703/Annegret-Kramp-Karrenbauer-fuer-verbindliche-Altersfeststellung-bei-minderjaehrigen-Fluechtlingen.html |url-status=live }} as did the Deutscher Städte- und Gemeindebund. Official investigations in some German states showed, that at least 30 to 50 percent of the age records of alleged underage refugees are wrong.[https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article172455051/Altersfeststellung-in-Stuttgart-Viele-der-angeblich-Minderjaehrigen-als-volljaehrig-eingestuft.html Viele der angeblich Minderjährigen als volljährig eingestuft], Die Welt

Unlike other German TV news broadcasters, news magazine Tagesschau did not report the case at first, later explaining that it does not normally report on domestic crime, especially where children are involved. After criticism in social media, the paper published a report.[https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article171997257/ARD-Entscheidung-Deshalb-berichtete-die-Tagesschau-zunaechst-nicht-ueber-Kandel.html Deshalb berichtete die "Tagesschau" zunächst nicht über Kandel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110193454/https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article171997257/ARD-Entscheidung-Deshalb-berichtete-die-Tagesschau-zunaechst-nicht-ueber-Kandel.html |date=2018-01-10 }}, Die Welt

Two months after the attack there were demonstrations in the town, involving over a thousand people.{{Cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/1.5477261|title=Nach tödlicher Messerattacke: Tausende bei Demonstrationen in Kandel|date=2018-03-03|work=FAZ.NET|access-date=2018-04-19|language=de|issn=0174-4909}} The local authorities claimed that most of the anti-immigration demonstrators were not from Kandel and that the town was being used as a "platform" by right-wingers. A separate group simultaneously demonstrated against racism.{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/dueling-protests-in-german-town-after-teen-allegedly-murdered-by-refugee/a-42345552|title=Dueling protests in German town after teen allegedly murdered by refugee|date=28 January 2018|website=DW|access-date=14 June 2018|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614094934/http://www.dw.com/en/dueling-protests-in-german-town-after-teen-allegedly-murdered-by-refugee/a-42345552|url-status=live}}

Funeral candles with pictures of Mia Valentin along with photos of Mireille B murdered 2018 in Flensburg and Maria Ladenburger murdered in 2016 in Freiburg were placed by anti-Islamic protesters outside chancellor Angela Merkel's office in Stralsund.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.de/20180323/far-right-group-protests-with-funeral-candles-at-merkels-office-after-freiburg-murder-conviction|title=Far-right group protests with funeral candles at Merkel's office after Freiburg murder verdict|date=2018-03-23|website=www.thelocal.de|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-02-17|archive-date=2019-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142301/https://www.thelocal.de/20180323/far-right-group-protests-with-funeral-candles-at-merkels-office-after-freiburg-murder-conviction|url-status=live}}

Following Mia's murder, an initiative entitled "Kandel Is Everywhere" took root in Germany. It has held protests, created Stolpersteine decrying the murders of Germans by foreigners, and produced a poster that went viral that includes Mia and Susanna Feldmann, under the heading “Merkel’s Stolpersteine.” On 14 April 2018, around 250 persons gathered at the Ballhausplatz in Vienna to commemorate the victim and to call for restrictions on immigration.{{Cite web |date=2018-04-16 |title=Kandel ist überall – auch in Wien |url=https://www.info-direkt.eu/2018/04/16/kandel-ist-ueberall-auch-in-wien-demo/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Info-DIREKT}}

On 10 October 2019, it was announced that Abdul D. had been found dead in his cell, of apparent suicide.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-asylum-seeker-who-killed-kandel-teen-found-dead-in-prison-cell/a-50769693 |title=Germany: Asylum-seeker who killed Kandel teen found dead in prison cell {{!}} DW |date=2019-10-10 |work=Deutsche Welle |access-date=2019-10-10 |language=en-GB |archive-date=2019-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010115920/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-asylum-seeker-who-killed-kandel-teen-found-dead-in-prison-cell/a-50769693 |url-status=live }} The police department of Rheinpfalz commented: "At the moment, there are no indications of outside influence. Suicidal intentions were not recognizable according to the prison management."{{Cite web |date=2019-10-10 |title=Mörder der 15-jährigen Mia tot in Zelle gefunden |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/kandel-moerder-mia-1.4634954 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Süddeutsche Zeitung}}

Because of the age of the accused, the case was heard privately in a juvenile court.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45395066|title=Germany: Migrant jailed for murdering ex-girlfriend, 15|date=3 September 2018|website=BBC News|access-date=16 January 2019|archive-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117075011/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45395066|url-status=live}} Anti-immigration demonstrators assembled in the streets of Kandel in September 2018 to await the announcement of the verdict, with counter-protests from locals.{{cite news |title=Right-wing protesters take to the streets ahead of Kandel teen murder verdict |url=https://www.dw.com/en/right-wing-protesters-take-to-the-streets-ahead-of-kandel-teen-murder-verdict/a-45322671 |accessdate=8 November 2018 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=2 September 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109024759/https://www.dw.com/en/right-wing-protesters-take-to-the-streets-ahead-of-kandel-teen-murder-verdict/a-45322671 |url-status=live }} When the sentence of 8 years in prison for the convicted murderer was announced, Deutsche Welle noted that the social media accounts of Alternative for Germany politicians "lit up" with criticism of the brevity of the sentence, while members of the governing Social Democratic Party were silent. A political consultant said that #Kandel had enabled the right wing to "take a singular, exceptional event and "abstract" it into a national problem".{{cite news |title=Chemnitz and Kandel: How hashtags shape German politics |url=https://www.dw.com/en/chemnitz-and-kandel-how-hashtags-shape-german-politics/a-45386890 |accessdate=8 November 2018 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109070722/https://www.dw.com/en/chemnitz-and-kandel-how-hashtags-shape-german-politics/a-45386890 |url-status=live }}

The documentary The Girl and the Refugee, which is Episode 5 of the series What Moves Germany, was shown on 4 June 2018 on Das Erste, a public television channel in Germany. The documentary is about the murder of Mia Valentin, and about the attempted murder by stabbing of a 17-year-old girl by another Afghan refugee in Darmstadt five days earlier. Looking for answers, the filmmakers travel to Afghanistan where they are told that a woman who separates from her man "must be killed." The documentary is an hr-SWR co-production, directed by Christian Gropper and Kai Diezemann.{{cite news |url=http://www.daserste.de/information/reportage-dokumentation/dokus/sendung/das-maedchen-und-der-fluechtling-folge-5-100.html |title=Was Deutschland bewegt: Das Mädchen und der Flüchtling |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607145614/http://www.daserste.de/information/reportage-dokumentation/dokus/sendung/das-maedchen-und-der-fluechtling-folge-5-100.html |archivedate=7 June 2018 |accessdate=12 October 2019}}{{cite news |last1=MICHAEL HANFELD |title=THE GIRL AND THE REFUGEE — Are you only reading about it in the press? |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/ard-doku-das-maedchen-und-der-fluechtling-15620980.html |accessdate=14 June 2018 |work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung |date=4 June 2018 |language=German |quote=In Afghanistan, where the authors are trying to contact the family of the perpetrator of Kandel, the answers are clear. A woman who separates from her man, "must be killed," |archive-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610040453/http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/ard-doku-das-maedchen-und-der-fluechtling-15620980.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Walter Bau |title=ARD DOCUMENTARY "The girl and the refugee" owes answers |url=https://www.morgenpost.de/kultur/tv/article214474817/ARD-Fluechtlingsdoku-drueckt-sich-an-den-Antworten-vorbei.html |accessdate=14 June 2018 |work=Berliner Morgenpost |date=4 June 2018 |language=German |quote=Two violent acts shocked the German public at the end of 2017. The alleged perpetrators were both young refugees from Afghanistan, the victims were two German girls. One was killed by a knife attack, the other seriously injured. The two cases in Darmstadt and Kandel triggered a heated public debate. |archive-date=14 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171825/https://www.morgenpost.de/kultur/tv/article214474817/ARD-Fluechtlingsdoku-drueckt-sich-an-den-Antworten-vorbei.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=CLAUDIA KAFFANKE |title=After Kandel: Searching for Clues in Afghanistan |url=https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/ludwigshafen/Das-Maedchen-und-der-Fluechtling,das-maedchen-und-der-fluechtling-106.html |accessdate=14 June 2018 |work=Südwestrundfunk |date=4 June 2018 |language=German |quote=As a Muslim, it is forbidden to kill, the TV crew explains. But women who leave their men would still have to be punished. And a villager says, "Such a woman must be killed." |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617024031/https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/ludwigshafen/Das-Maedchen-und-der-Fluechtling,das-maedchen-und-der-fluechtling-106.html |url-status=live }}

• Immigration and crime in Germany
• Reutlingen knife attack
• Murder of Mireille B
• Murder of Maria Ladenburger

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Valentin, Mia}}

Category:2017 murders in Germany

Category:2010s trials

Category:21st century in Rhineland-Palatinate

Category:Crime in Rhineland-Palatinate

Category:Deaths by person in Germany

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Category:December 2017 crimes in Europe

Category:December 2017 in Germany

Category:Female murder victims

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Category:Murder trials

Category:Child murder in Germany

Category:Stabbing attacks in 2017

Category:Stabbing attacks in Germany

Category:Trials in Germany

Category:Violence against women in Germany

Category:Incidents of violence against girls