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German synagogue shooting suspect goes on trial

A man accused of murdering two people when he opened fire on a German synagogue on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur last year went on trial on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old, identified as Stephan B., has confessed to the crime, prosecutors say. He was led into the courtroom by armed police.

The gunman shot at the synagogue in Halle, eastern Germany with the aim of killing as many as possible of the more than 50 worshippers inside, prosecutors say.

He live-streamed the attack, which shocked Germany, where anti-Semitic crimes are particularly sensitive because of the legacy of the Nazis.

After failing to get inside, the shooter went on a rampage, fatally shooting a woman passerby and a man in a kebab shop.

A prominent Jewish figure in Germany said the Halle attack showed how right-wing populists and extremists had become more brazen.

If convicted, Stephan B. faces a life sentence. He's accused of murder on two counts, plus attempted murder and incitement.

Local police have drawn criticism for leaving the synagogue unprotected and not realising it was the holiest day in the Jewish year.

Anti-Semitic crimes rose by 13 percent in Germany last year according to the interior minister, who blamed right-wing militants.