E/CN.4/1996/72 page 23 19. It is alleged that this arson attack had racist motivations and was perpetrated by neo-Nazis. Observations 20. The facts of the case are confirmed. 21. On the basis of the investigations carried out by the technical expert witness, as well as of the observations of the witnesses, it has been established that the fire broke out in the extension, between a grease pit and the house. The extension is a shed subsequently built onto the house and used by Sinan Kadioglu as a garage and car repair shop. 22. The report of the Bavarian Regional Criminal Office reached the conclusion that the fire could have been caused either by a technical fault, by negligence or arson. Because of the great deal of damage done, it was not possible, however, to find any specific indications of a specific cause of the fire. According to the expert witness, Sinan Kadioglu must have been in the garage at the time of the fire. The investigation has not yet been concluded. As yet, it has not revealed any indication of a racist motivation behind any arson attack. Case No. 1995/5 Allegations Place: Geesthacht Date: 28 December 1994 23. A Turkish-owned teashop was destroyed in a firebombing in Geesthacht, Hambourg, on 28 December 1994. The 22 Turkish and German residents of the flats above the shop were evacuated after the fire broke out around midnight and fortunately no one was injured. The damage was to a value of 250 deutsche marks. 24. It is alleged that this incident, which followed many others in which Turks and Turkish-owned businesses in Germany were targeted by neo-Nazis, had racist motivations. Observations 25. The facts of the case are mostly confirmed. 26. The investigation is being carried out by a special commission of Lübeck district criminal police office which has been established in Geesthacht, in consultation with fire experts from the Regional Criminal Office. According to witnesses’ statements, three men who are said to have unmistakably been Turkish nationals started the fire. They are said to have fled in a car parked close by after committing the offence.