Nelson | Suicide in Ottweiler Prison: Officers remain on duty despite allegations

Following the suicide of 15-year-old Nelson and the subsequent protests at Ottweiler Prison in Saarland, three inmates have been transferred to prisons in the neighboring states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg as ringleaders. This was announced by Wiebke Zimdars, a judge at the Higher Regional Court. During the protest on August 2nd, 17 inmates refused to return to their cells after a "free period." Others also face consequences: "The involvement of the individuals involved is being evaluated and investigated," Zimdars told "nd."

The inmates accused prison officials of injuring the Black youth before his death. The Saarbrücken public prosecutor's office is conducting preliminary investigations into two prison officials to determine whether there is initial suspicion "regarding possible bodily harm to the deceased inmate." The focus is on an officer who is alleged to have been in Nelson's cell immediately before his suicide and to have beaten him. In addition to complaints from several fellow inmates, the public prosecutor's office has also received a criminal complaint from Nelson's father.

However, the prison administration did not order disciplinary measures against the staff members, explained Judge Zimdars. According to the public prosecutor's office, Nelson's autopsy revealed no evidence of foul play and no external signs of injury. Nevertheless, allegations of racist violence are circulating on social media. For this reason, the public prosecutor's office is now also investigating the accused officers for threatening them, reports Saarländischer Rundfunk. This involves suspicion of insult, disturbing the peace, and incitement and threats to commit crimes against prison employees.

The juvenile Nelson was in prison on a preventive detention order, which is issued, for example, when parole is revoked. However, it is unknown why he was held under particularly restrictive conditions – in separate, "secure custody" for five weeks with additional video surveillance. The public prosecutor's office is withholding further information for reasons of privacy protection and ongoing investigations.

The incident was also the subject of a closed-door special session of the Justice Committee of the Saarland State Parliament. According to CDU MP Christopher Salm, the youth was initially held separately and "securely" – including under video surveillance. He was closely monitored by psychologists, a doctor, and social services. On the day his transfer to a regular cell was decided, he took his own life there.

The Initiative of Black People in Germany (ISD) also responded to Nelson's suicide with a statement. "His death is not a tragic isolated incident, but part of a deadly system characterized by structural racism and institutional irresponsibility," the organization stated. The ISD referred to its "Death in Custody" campaign, conducted with the Berlin Campaign Against Police Violence (KOP), which documented at least 203 deaths of racialized people in police or judicial custody between 1990 and 2022.

The ISD calls for an independent, public, and comprehensive investigation into Nelson's death, as well as the immediate introduction of a nationwide reporting and documentation requirement for all deaths in custody. "People affected by racism are at particularly high risk of dying in state custody," the statement reads.

A fundraising campaign entitled "Justice for Nelson" has already raised over €26,000 . The money will cover legal fees, funeral costs, and an independent medical report. A petition , apparently started by the mother of one of Nelson's classmates, also calls for an independent and thorough investigation into the incident and the immediate suspension of the accused officers until the allegations have been fully investigated. The woman claims to be supporting the students as a grief counselor and writes: "The children want answers." With agencies