In the trial against the Jewish musician Gil Ofarim for defamation and false suspicions, an expert contradicted an important depiction of the artist.
From entering the lobby to leaving a Leipzig hotel, no chain with a Star of David was visible, said forensic expert Dirk Labudde in the Leipzig regional court.
At the beginning of October 2021, the musician made serious allegations of anti-Semitism against a manager of the hotel in an Instagram video. According to the singer, Ofarim should take off his Star of David and only then would he be allowed to check in. However, after extensive investigations by the public prosecutor’s office, charges were brought against Ofarim himself. The case against the hotel manager was dropped.
Ofarim remains silent in court
According to the expert, the chain with the Star of David was only visible when Ofarim recorded the Instagram video in front of the hotel. To do this, the digital forensic expert evaluated the recordings from the surveillance cameras in an extensive process. The expert’s statements in the trial will continue on Thursday. It is also about the behavior of those involved in the hotel lobby. There are no audio recordings of the incident.
Ofarim has not yet made any statements in court. The presumption of innocence applies until the proceedings are legally concluded.
