According to information from the newspaper BILD, the body of the Senegalese Mouhamed D. (16), who was shot by the police in Dortmund, is on its way to Dakar (Senegal) by plane. The youth is to be buried in his hometown of Ndiaffate today (Thursday, August 18).
The funeral home in charge confirmed that the transfer began on Wednesday ( August 17). Before the coffin was taken to the airport, there was a prayer for the dead, said Managing Director Mehmet Balcok of Gurbet Funerals. Many mourners were present, including representatives of the Dortmund authorities.
According to Senegalese media, the body of Mouhamed D. will arrive in Dakar on Thursday afternoon local time and then be taken to Ndiaffate, 250 kilometres away. The coffin has to be reloaded on the way, because there is no direct flight. Hence the long last journey of the youth.
Mouhamed D. was killed during a police operation in the courtyard of a youth welfare facility in Dortmund last Monday ( August 8). According to current investigations, he had initially threatened to kill himself with a knife. Pepper spray and tasers did not work, the youth ran towards the officers carrying the knife. One of the police officers shot six times with his submachine gun. Five bullets hit the 16-year-old.
A few days ago, the unaccompanied refugee was to be buried in Dortmund. The pit had already been prepared. At the last minute, the funeral was cancelled – the Senegalese embassy had called. There were relatives in Senegal. They wanted the body to be repatriated.
Mouhamed D. is considered an orphan by the authorities. Senegalese media reported a man who described himself as the boy’s father. A cousin of the youth is the mayor of the city of Ndiaffate.