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Oury Jalloh. The conflicting truths in a mysterious death

Honorable mention 2015
Special Programmes – Radio

Author:	Margot Overath
Editorial:	Nikolai von Koslowski Redaktion: Ulf Köhler

Feature, MDR

Content
January 2005, Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt. A man, whose his hands and feet were bound, burns to death in a police cell. Self-inflicted, say some. Murdered, say others. Yet the evidence is inconclusive. And not even a second trial before the Magdeburg District Court is able to shed any more light on the cause of the fire. The author revisits the findings of previous inquiries, and with the assistance of forensic scientists, toxicologists and criminal detectives examines the anomalies in the case. Eventually she receives an important tip-off about a mysterious third man. What started out as an inquiry into the alleged failure of that night’s super-vising duty officer to render assistance, escalates in 2014 into charges being brought by the public prosecutor against persons unknown for murder.

Excerpt from the jury’s statement
Meticulously researched, of high radiophonic quality – an outstanding piece of investigative journalism, an inspiring example of perseverance and moral courage.