A REFUGEE who allegedly pushed an eight-year-old boy under a train in Frankfurt had been a poster boy for successful integration.

Habte Araya originally from Eritrea but living in Switzerland, has been arrested for shoving a boy and his mother under a locomotive in the German city.

11 Habte Araya was used in a campaign as a poster boy for successful integration in his adopted homeland of Switzerland Credit: Central European News

11 The Eritrean born 40-year-old is accused of shoving a boy to his death underneath a train in Frankfurt Credit: Central European News

Now it has emerged that the 40-year-old suspect was celebrated as a “prime example” of successful integration in his adopted home of Weadenswil, Switzerland,.

In 2017, he was even pictured in an advertising brochure from the Swiss Workers Relief Agency (Schweizerischen Arbeiterhilfswerks) as an example of successful integration, according to local media.

He gave an interview at the time saying that "he liked almost everything about Switzerland," adding: "When I first came communication was difficult because of the language.

“But that is no longer the case. I like the fact that everyone is helped here regardless of whether they are rich or poor.

"I want a better and easier life for my children than I had."

'RESERVED AND A BIT SHY'

Employees at the Swiss Workers Relief Agency where he worked as a building fitter described Araya in local media as "reserved and a bit shy".

He was described as a hard worker, not somebody who stands around talking and wasting time and they said he was "reliable".

Araya arrived in Switzerland in 2006 and applied for asylum status which he was granted in 2008.

Witnesses described how Araya, a married father-of-three, pushed the boy and his mum onto the train tracks at Frankfurt Station before running away.

The mum, 40, survived the incident by rolling away from the tracks but the lad boy didn’t make it.

Araya reportedly told prosecutors that he had "taken the train from Basel, Switzerland to Germany" but has not said anything else yet.

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A 78-year-old woman was also injured by the man on the shoulder as he allegedly tried to push her onto the tracks, but failed.

Flowers, teddy bears and tributes have been left on the platform in Frankfurt in memory of the boy.

Araya faces one charge of murder as well as two charges of attempted murder.

11 This picture allegedly shows Araya fleeing the scene after shoving the mum and son under the train Credit: Central European News

11 A cop races across the tracks after a boy, 8, was killed by a train Credit: AP:Associated Press

Boy, 8, killed by train after man pushes him and his mum onto tracks in Frankfurt

11 Police said a man pushed the boy and his mother onto the tracks Credit: EPA

11 Cops cordon off areas near the platforms at the main train station in Frankfurt Credit: EPA

11

11 Dozens of commuters gathered around the scene and some said they witnessed the attack Credit: Rex Features

11 The boy's mother was taken to a hospital and was also questioned Credit: EPA

11 Chaos ensued at Frankfurt's central station on Monday morning Credit: EPA

11 About 16 ambulances and a helicopter arrived at the scene Credit: Rex Features