On Saturday he celebrated his sister’s graduation ball with his family in Bad Oeynhausen; Philippos T. died as a result of an attack during the night. Relatives mourn the loss of a loved one and fight against political instrumentalization.
Sadness, despair, anger – Joanna S.’s face shows the pain that a mother who has just lost her son feels. “You are the murderers and accomplices,” she says into the camera, addressing Philippos T.’s attackers. RTL published the video on X.
The 20-year-old and two companions were attacked by a group of ten people in the Bad Oeynhausen spa park during the night from Saturday to Sunday. The main suspect fell “suddenly” and “head-on” on Philippos during an “argument”. He then fell backwards and hit the back of his head on the hard ground, reports “Welt” citing an internal police report: “The suspect, who was now above the victim, punched him in the head several times.” According to witnesses, the attackers had previously stolen his bag and thrown it into the spa park lake. The alleged main perpetrator has now been arrested. The Minden resident died on Tuesday as a result of his injuries.
This sudden loss leaves a gap in Philippos’ environment. “Everyone is mourning, sharing their feelings and saying loving things about him,” says rapper Lyran Dasz, a long-time companion in an interview with FOCUS online. As a teenager, Philippos traveled all over Germany on school-free days to make music with his friends. The 20-year-old performed under the stage name “swagboipi”. Philippos developed his great talent as a producer, says Lyran Dasz. In 2019, with the support of the Minden native, he managed to create his most successful song to date, “Ohne Sie” – and his breakthrough. He can now make a living from music, and he has his now deceased friend to thank for that. “I Lyran = hits only,” Philippos commented at the time under the music video, which has around 160,000 views on YouTube.
What remains are the unforgettable moments. Lyran Dasz remembers the final performance of his tour after the Corona pandemic. In front of around 1,000 spectators, he stood on stage with “pi” to start singing the song. He speaks of a “significant moment” that is a “valuable memory”. Despite his young age, Philippos worked purposefully towards a successful future. “Philippos was a dreamer,” says Lyran Dasz with great appreciation. With his high ambitions and clear dreams for the future, he has already shown great competence as a music producer.
But because of one evening, his sister’s graduation ball, and the attack by the group, these dreams of the future no longer exist. “We can’t believe that something like this happened to us,” Philippo’s father Dimitri T. told “Bild”. And: “I can’t believe he’s gone.” He doesn’t understand how a person can beat someone until they are as badly injured as his son. He was always peaceful and helpful, stood up for others more than for himself and “always stood up for the weak”: “He was simply the best son.”
Meanwhile, Philippo’s friends are shocked at how right-wing populists want to exploit his death. “He had rejected the AfD’s election program,” says Lyran Dasz, who was not born in Germany. Using his name and his story for provocations is “deeply unfair.”
Another friend on X had criticized AfD leader Alice Weidel in clear terms for her statement on Philippo’s death. “Making political capital out of the fate of a victim is simply dishonorable,” he continued. He was sometimes attacked harshly for his statements. “It is frightening what political dimensions this tweet has taken on,” said the friend, who goes by the name “nisibebi” on X, to FOCUS online.
Meanwhile, the police are continuing to search for the group and are investigating the case for manslaughter in conjunction with grievous bodily harm. A spokesman appeals to visitors to the downtown party and other parties to go through their own photos and videos again.
The man arrested is an 18-year-old from the city, investigators said. He was arrested at his home address on Wednesday and will be brought before a judge on Thursday.
“According to current information, he is the main perpetrator who is said to have inflicted the fatal injuries on the 20-year-old victim,” it said. The police did not initially provide any information on the suspect’s nationality. Several media outlets had previously reported this.
According to the police, the group had walked towards the city center after the attack. It is possible that the group had already attracted negative attention before and had not yet been reported to the police. The police are also asking for information from the public. “It is important to get every little tip,” stressed the police spokesman.
In her speech, mother Joanna advised the suspects that “it would be better for you if you turned yourselves in.” They should name the main suspect they were looking for. “Otherwise you will not have peace for the rest of your lives.”