A violent video praising the knife attack in Mannheim has prompted a strong response from Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU). The video, which appeared on the online platform Tiktok, calls for the murder of “all ex-Muslims and every critic of Islam.” Strobl condemned the video as “despicable, despicable, and disgusting,” emphasizing that crimes, especially murder, are punished to the fullest extent of the law and not celebrated. The Minister announced that law enforcement authorities are taking strict measures in response to such statements after the attack. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) also condemned the video, stating that glorifying the murderous knife attack is abhorrent and inhumane, and those responsible will be prosecuted.
The police officer who was seriously injured in the knife attack in Mannheim had to be placed in an induced coma. The attacker, a suspected 25-year-old Afghan, is currently hospitalized and unable to be interrogated. The apartment of the suspect in Heppenheim, Hessen, was searched by the police, who seized electronic devices for analysis. According to reports, the suspect, Sulaiman A., has been in Germany since 2014, is married, and has two children. The suspect is under investigation for attempted murder, according to the Karlsruhe District Court. The motive behind the attack, which took place at an event organized by the Islam-critical movement Pax Europa, is still unclear, and authorities are conducting thorough investigations.
The attack, which was livestreamed by anti-Islam activist Michael Stürzenberger, targeted Stürzenberger and resulted in several injuries to members of Pax Europa. Stürzenberger, who was seriously injured but is not in life-threatening condition, is back in action, expressing gratitude for the support received. The incident took place before the scheduled event where Stürzenberger was set to speak at a demonstration against political Islam. Authorities suspect a planned and targeted attack based on the video footage. Despite the attack, Pax Europa announced its intention to continue public appearances, with enhanced security measures expected.
Political leaders, including Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, have condemned the violent act and expressed support for the victims. They emphasized the need to investigate the motives behind the attack, with Faeser warning of the danger posed by Islamist violence. Various party leaders called for unity in defending democracy against all forms of violence in political discourse. The incident has sparked a debate on the safety of events organized by groups critical of Islam, as well as the protection of freedom of expression in a democratic society.
Stürzenberger and the Pax-Europa movement have been linked by authorities to Islamophobia. Stürzenberger’s past activities as a leader for Pax Europa and his association with the extremist website “Politically Incorrect” have raised concerns about his influence. Threats against Stürzenberger, including violent and derogatory messages, have been posted on social media, highlighting the dangerous rhetoric prevalent in online spaces. Videos of the attack circulated rapidly online, prompting a discussion on the responsibility of social media platforms in preventing the spread of violent content. The investigation into the Mannheim attack is ongoing, with authorities focusing on uncovering the motives and background of the perpetrator.
