The 74-year-old suspect who attacked Berlin’s Senator for Economics, Franziska Giffey (SPD), has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital following the incident. The General Prosecutor’s Office Berlin announced on Wednesday evening that the decision to temporarily place the accused in a psychiatric hospital had been granted and implemented. The man allegedly attacked Giffey in a library with a bag filled with a hard object on Tuesday afternoon. Police and prosecutors had indicated that there were already police intelligence regarding state security and hate crimes against the suspect and there were also indications of a mental illness, as per sources from WELT. It was revealed that the suspect was under social psychiatric care prior to the attack.
Giffey was attacked in a library in the Rudow district in her constituency on Tuesday afternoon. She described the incident on Instagram, explaining that while she was engaged in a conversation with the library director, she suddenly felt a hard blow to her head and neck from behind by a man wielding a bag filled with a hard object. The attacker reportedly spoke some words during the assault, but Giffey refrained from disclosing them due to investigative reasons requested by the police. Giffey briefly sought medical attention for head and neck pain caused by the attack, and the assailant fled the scene. The State Security division of the Criminal Police is currently conducting investigations into this politically motivated assault.
Despite the shocking attack, Giffey expressed her determination to continue her work without being deterred by such incidents. She emphasized her concern over the increasing culture of hostility towards individuals engaged in politics in the country. Giffey stressed on the importance of respecting differing opinions within a free and democratic society, while condemning any form of violence against those with opposing views. The revelation that Giffey was unprotected at the event due to the absence of security personnel underscores the vulnerability of politicians in the face of potential threats. Politicians and the police union have expressed dismay at the attack.
The attack took place in Giffey’s electoral district in Neukölln, where she previously served as the District Mayor before transitioning to federal politics as the Minister for Family Affairs. Following the revocation of her doctoral title, Giffey resigned in 2021 and returned to local politics, where she is set to be the Mayor until 2023. The same day witnessed another attack against a politician, this time in Dresden. The Green Party politician, Yvonne Mosler, was targeted while putting up campaign posters in the city. She was assaulted by two individuals, leading to police apprehending a 24-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man as suspects for the assault, threats, and property damage.
The male attacker physically pushed Mosler, verbally abused her, and tore down election posters before being joined by the female suspect who spat on the politician while she was accompanied by helpers and a film crew. Both suspects were brought into custody by the police, with investigations revealing that they had allegedly made a Nazi salute before the attack, prompting additional charges for displaying symbols of unconstitutional organizations. The suspects remained at large following the incident, in a series of attacks against politicians in the region. Just days earlier, the SPD candidate for the European elections in Saxony, Matthias Ecke, was assaulted by a group of teenagers while putting up campaign posters in Dresden, highlighting the increasing risks faced by political figures during the election season.
