Law enforcement officials in Germany have conducted a search of an apartment in Heppenheim, Hessen, following a knife attack in Mannheim during an event organized by the Islam-critical movement Pax Europa. Reports stating that the apartment belonged to the alleged perpetrator were not initially confirmed by the State Criminal Police Office in Stuttgart. The attack, carried out by a man of Afghan origin on Friday morning in the city center, left several people injured, including a police officer in critical condition. The attacker, a 25-year-old from Afghanistan living in South Hessen, was operated on and is currently unable to be questioned. The motive for the attack is still unclear, and the State Security Department of the Karlsruhe Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken over the investigation.
The anti-Islam activist Michael Stürzenberger, who was the target of the attack, was reportedly seriously injured but not in a life-threatening condition. Several other members of the movement were also injured in the attack. Despite the incident, Pax Europa has announced that they will continue with their public appearances, with a stand planned in Dortmund next Saturday. The suspect, Sulaiman A., is reported to be a 25-year-old from Afghanistan who lived approximately 40 kilometers away from Mannheim in Hessen. Authorities have not previously identified him as an extremist. The injured police officer, who initially mistook another man for the attacker, underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition.
The Mayor of Mannheim described the attack as an act of terrorism, while investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the incident. Both Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz and Bundesinnenministerin Nancy Faeser expressed shock and condemned the violence, emphasizing the need to bring the perpetrator to justice. If the investigation uncovers an Islamist motive, it would underscore the ongoing threat of Islamist violence. Political leaders from various parties, including CDU, SPD, and Greens, also condemned the attack and called for a swift and thorough investigation to determine the background and motives of the attacker.
The attack in Mannheim has reignited discussions about the need to protect freedom of speech and democratic values in the face of violence. Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a united front against political violence, emphasizing that there is no place for such acts in a democratic society. The attack, which targeted participants of an Islam-critical event, has raised concerns about the safety of public gatherings and the potential for further acts of violence. Law enforcement agencies are working to uncover any potential connections to extremist groups or ideologies that may have motivated the attacker.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on understanding the circumstances that led to the attack and ensuring the safety of all citizens. The incident has brought attention to the challenges posed by radical ideologies and the need for effective measures to prevent such violence in the future. The injured individuals, including the police officer and anti-Islam activist, are receiving medical treatment, and efforts are being made to ensure their full recovery. The community response to the attack has been one of shock and solidarity, with calls for unity and vigilance in the face of extremism.
