Question: How is it a terrorist who assisted in killing thousands of people in the US gets 15 years in Germany. Which divides out as only 1.8 days per victim. Then you say, if you committed a murder in the US you would get life? Would not you also get 1.8 days?
Answer: The maximum fine by law for aiding and abetting murder is 15 years imprisonment, for murder (or encouraging someone to commit murder) it´s life sentence. The number of deads is not relevant for aiding and abetting, but for murder. However, we discuss the case of two Baader-Meinhoff-gang members, one applied for early release on probabtion after having been 24 years in prison, while she was convicted to 5 times life-long, and the other asked the Federal President for mercy after 24 years in prison. Under the law, the first can be out in spring, the second can be out in two years. 91% of Germans disagree with the early release, and probably the same number of Germans disagree with our ridiculous punishments. What´s the life of a victim worth if we set killers free after such a short time. For me, life-long shall mean at least 30 years (for one murder), with the possibility to release a criminal on probation when he reaches his 75th birthday. I don´t think it´s a "must" that they die in jail. But 24 years for 5 murders or 15 years for aiding and abetting to murder in 3,000 some cases is beyond reason.