Significant undertaking in Mannheim - Attack with a knife during an anti-Islam rally is critical.
A man assaulted attendees of an anti-Islam event at a marketplace in Mannheim with a knife, hurting six individuals. A police officer is currently battling for his life, announced Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl (CDU).
The assault targeted participants of a gathering by the anti-Islam organization, Pax Europa. Pax Europa's treasurer, Stefanie Kizina, revealed that the board member, Michael Stürzenberger, was also wounded in the incident.
The police fatally shot the attacker and he sustained injuries. The Karlsruhe public prosecutor's department's criminal investigation unit is investigating the case. Strobl commented, "We can't determine the motive right now." Nancy Faeser, the Federal Interior Minister (SPD), stated: "If the investigations find an Islamist motive, it would be another confirmation of the risks posed by Islamist violent actions, which we've warned about."
Mannheim's mayor, Christian Specht (CDU), referred to the knife attack as an act of terror. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor, labeled the attacker a killer and condemned the violence, while Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal President, expressed his astonishment.
According to Kizina, Stürzenberger sustained injuries to his leg and face. Kizina said to "Bild" newspaper, "He will undergo surgery. His life is not currently in danger." The 59-year-old is considered a prominent figure in the organization.
Pax Europa doesn't differentiate between Islam and Islamism on its website. Both are accused by the group of "aggressive disdain and intolerance." The Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution mentioned in their report for 2022 that Stürzenberger and the Bavarian branch of Pax Europa had "concrete evidence" of pursuing "constitutionally significant anti-Islamic endeavours" aimed at "abolishing religious freedom for Muslims." In their 2023 report, neither Stürzenberger nor the organization were mentioned. The agency clarified that this was simply due to their decreased activity. Both Stürzenberger and the Bavarian branch are still being monitored.
A video of the attack circulated on the internet immediately following the incident: It depicts a man repeatedly stabbing people at the demonstration. Bystanders can be heard screaming, "Take the knife away." The video also shows a police officer firing his weapon. According to the police, the shooter, the public prosecutor's office, and the state criminal investigation unit, a shot was discharged.
A police officer was attempting to escort a wounded individual to safety when he was stabbed several times from behind by the attacker. Besides the police officer, five other injured individuals are members of Pax Europa.
It was due to the heroic, courageous, resilient, and highly professional action of the police that there weren't any further casualties," said Strobl. The perpetrator's identity was initially unknown. The Mannheim marketplace is situated in the heart of the 300,000-resident city in northern Baden-Württemberg.
The extent and severity of the injuries of the other victims are still uncertain, remarked the investigators. First responders transported the injured to various hospitals, where some were operated on. After the attack, the marketplace was cordoned off with red-white tape. Barriers were also erected, and a nearby tram station was shut down. A rescue helicopter was employed to treat the injured. Detectives secured evidence.
The attack elicited shock.
Chancellor Scholz expressed shock. "The events from Mannheim are frightening," he commented on the platform X. "Several individuals have been seriously injured by an assailant. My thoughts are with the victims. Violence is completely unacceptable in our democracy. The perpetrator must receive a harsh punishment."
Federal President Steinmeier expressed outrage. "I vehemently denounce the attack in Mannheim!" wrote his spokesperson, Cerstin Gammelin, in Steinmeier's name on the platform X. "In our democracy, there is no place for violence - violence damages democracy. Freedom of expression is a valuable commodity."
Read also:
- The Karlsruhe public prosecutor's office is overseeing the large-scale investigation into the knife attack during the anti-Islam rally in Mannheim.
- European leaders, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, have expressed their shock and condemnation following the violent incident in Baden-Württemberg.
- The Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl, praised the police's quick response and professionalism, which prevented further casualties at the rally in Mannheim.
- The European human rights organization Pax Europe, which organized the rally, has been a target of criticism and surveillance in Germany due to its explicit stance against Islamism.
- The federal Public prosecutor's office in Germany is closely monitoring the investigation into the Mannheim knife attack, considering potential links to domestic extremism or terror.
- The Bild newspaper reported that Pax Europa's board member, Michael Stürzenberger, was one of the victims who sustained injuries during the attack, along with six other rally attendees.
- The European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR) released a statement, expressing concern over the rising instances of violent attacks at political rallies in Europe, specifically mentioning the Mannheim incident.
- The European Parliament's President, David Sassoli, condemned the attack in Mannheim, urging European citizens to unite against violence and promote peaceful dialogue to combat radicalization.
- European political parties, including the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), have conveyed their support to the victims and called for a comprehensive response to combat extremist violence.
- The Czech Republic's Foreign Minister, Jan Hamáček, condemned the knife attack in Mannheim, emphasizing the need to combat extremism and protect fundamental freedoms across Europe.
- The European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) reported an increase in hate speech and discrimination against Muslim communities in Europe, citing incidents like the knife attack in Mannheim as evidence of the growing threat to religious freedom in the continent.
