The Refugee Council of Lower Saxony in Germany has called for an independent investigation into the police killing of a Gambian man, Lamin Touray.

Mr Touray, 46, was shot dead by German Police last week for allegedly threatening the officers after a dispute with his girlfriend.

His killing has attracted wide range condemnations among Gambians and human rights groups. The Gambia government has promised justice for the victim while adding that the German government assured a robust investigation into Mr Touray’s killing.

“The Refugee Council of Lower Saxony demands that the circumstances of Lamin’s death be fully and comprehensively investigated. The Refugee Council of Lower Saxony expects from those responsible in politics and administration the comprehensive and complete investigation of Lamin Touray’s killing and to finally do everything they can to ensure that such killings never happen again,” the council said in a statement.

According to the council, Lamin Touray and two others were in a psychological state of emergency at the time of their killing– as the police knew.

“In all three cases, people contacted the police to get help for their friends or relatives. But instead of the help they needed, they found death. Lamin Touray’s girlfriend also bitterly states that ‘instead of helping, they shot him like an animal in the forest’” and adds: “I want nothing but justice”

“At least five people with experience of being refugee have died in Lower Saxony in the past four years alone due to excessive police violence: Aman Alizada in August 2019 in the State District, Mamadou Alpha Diallo in June 2020 in Emsland district, Qosay K. in March 2021 in Delmenhorst and Kamal I. in October 2021 in the state district. On New Year’s Day 2023, a black person whose name we do not know died in police custody in Braunschweig,” it added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba