Strobl declares strong measures against violent videos.
"Appalling, repulsive, and terrifying" are the words used by Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl, to describe a vicious TikTok video posted after the knife attack in Mannheim. Strobl vows to take a strict approach from the authorities in response.
Regarding the violent TikTok video, which seems to encourage killing "all ex-Muslims and every Islam critic", Strobl commented to "Bild am Sonntag": "In our state, crimes - particularly murder crimes - will not be celebrated, but will be met with the full force of the law."
These kinds of comments in the aftermath of such incidents are considered "disgusting, despicable, and horrifying" according to Strobl. The Criminal Investigation Department has already dispatched IT investigators to assist in the ongoing investigations.
Federal Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser (SPD), also strongly criticized the TikTok video that was published after the attack. "To glorify a murderous knife attack is despicable and shameful," said Faeser to "Bild am Sonntag." Anyone who does this must "be subjected to the full force of the law." Authorities are leaving no stones unturned.
Attacker targets islam-critical PAX Europa members
A man wounded five members of the islam-critical civil rights organization PAX Europa and a police officer during a rally on Mannheim's market square on Friday. Stefanie Kizina, treasurer of PAX Europa, informed the "Bild" newspaper that the attack was clearly directed at board member Michael Stürzenberger. The 59-year-old was stabbed in the face. Stürzenberger and his group within PAX-Europa are seen by Bavarian authorities as coming under the scope of constitutionally significant Islamophobia.
The perpetrator is said to be a 25-year-old Afghan born man who has been living in Germany since 2014. The motive is still unknown. The man is not yet in police custody. The District Court of Karlsruhe issued an arrest warrant for the man for attempted murder. The injured police officer remains in critical condition, according to the prosecution and the police.
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- Following the violent incident in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl, expressed concern over the surge of Islamophobic content, particularly in the form of the TikTok video, which incites killing "all ex-Muslims and every Islam critic."
- The attack on the PAX Europa members in Mannheim, who are characterized as Islamophobic by Bavarian authorities, has sparked renewed discussions about Islamophobia in Germany, with Strobl urging for a strong response from the authorities to combat such violence.
- In the aftermath of the attack in Mannheim, Thomas Strobl condemned the TikTok video that celebrated the knife attack, reiterating his stance against any form of Islamophobia and promising strict action from the authorities against those inciting violence or manslaughter.
