Protests as US Airman, 26, is cleared of brutal stabbing murder of German athlete

Locals have been left outraged after a US Airman was acquitted of murder in the stabbing death of a beloved athlete in Germany. 

Airman 1st Class Grant Harrison, 26, was found not guilty of unpremeditated murder for the August 2023 stabbing of Michael Ovsjannikov, 28, by a court martial on October 11, reported Stars and Stripes.

Harrison and his squadron mate Staff Sgt. Robert Cain II were stationed at the nearby Spangdahlem air base in Germany and became involved in a scuffle with Ovsjannikov on August 19, 2023, German police reported.

Testimony at Harrison’s trial revealed the two men plus Cain’s wife and another woman were walking home from a local festival when Ovsjannikov allegedly spit at Cain’s wife and prompted the fight.

Ovsjannikov – a professional martial arts athlete – received four stab wounds, including one on his back and the side of his abdomen.  

Hundreds of people protested outside the Spangdahlem air base in Germany on Friday after a US Airman was acquitted of murder

Harrison’s defense attorney argued that the evidence from the crime pointed to Cain being the one who stabbed the victim. 

Initially both men were arrested, but Cain received nonjudicial punishment in December and the Air Force would not disclose the terms of his punishment. 

He also received immunity in exchange for cooperation with the government and his testimony, according to the outlet. 

It is reported that Harrison confessed during those first interviews, but the confession was suppressed by the judge.

Police said two US Airmen were involved in the August 2023 stabbing death of of Michael Ovsjannikov (pictured)

The murder weapon was found near Harrison’s house and a speck of Ovsjannikov’s blood was found on Harrison’s shoe. 

Spangdahlem officials said the trial verdict cannot be vacated or overturned and the prosecution in military law doesn’t have the right to appeal a not guilty verdict – only the defense can appeal a guilty verdict. 

‘At this time, charges have not been brought against any additional personnel,’ the base said in a statement. 

‘The Air Force will continue to pursue charges in all cases in which the interests of justice, preservation of good order and discipline, and probable cause dictate so doing.’

Harrison was allegedly part of a group walking home from a local festival when Ovsjannikov allegedly spit at one of the men’s wives and prompted the fight

Hundreds of people protested outside the air base on Friday, demanding justice and accountability for Ovsjannikov. 

‘You can’t just go around killing people without facing consequences, it just can’t work like that,’ one protester told Stars and Stripes.

The protesters chanted ‘Justice for Micha’ in English and German and lit candles in Ovsjanikov’s honor. 

Marius Schaefer, who said he was Ovsjannikov’s best friend and training partner, called for German officials to do something about what he feels is an injustice.

‘Someone has to take responsibility for the mistake that happened,’ he said. ‘The German prosecutor, someone from the German justice minister, I don’t care who. But someone has to take the microphone and say something and say this was a mistake.’