- Authorities at the federal level are currently conducting an investigation into Solingen.
Following the deadly knife attack in Solingen, the Federal Criminal Office has assumed control of the case and is investigating the suspect for murder and suspected membership in the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. A representative from the highest German prosecution body informed the German Press Agency in Karlsruhe. The suspect is scheduled to appear before an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on Sunday. An earlier attempt to deport the suspect, a Syrian asylum seeker, was unsuccessful the previous year.
All critically injured individuals are on the path to recuperation.
On Saturday evening, a 26-year-old surrendered to authorities, as reported by the police. The man claimed responsibility for the incident. The involvement of this individual is currently under intense scrutiny. In accordance with Düsseldorf police reports, the suspect is a 26-year-old Syrian. According to dpa sources, he was wearing blood-stained clothing when he surrendered.
The critically injured victims are now making progress in their recovery. "All four patients being treated at the municipal clinic in Solingen have turned the corner," said Thomas Standl, the medical director and CEO, in an interview with Welt TV. The crime scene in the city center remained cordoned off on Sunday morning. Hundreds of people gathered for a memorial service in the early hours.
Suspect arrived in Germany at the end of 2022 and applied for asylum
On Friday evening, a man apparently attacked a random individual during the 650th anniversary celebration of the city of Solingen - the "Festival of Diversity" - and then escaped in the confusion and initial panic. Two men aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman, were killed. Eight people were injured, four of them severely. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack, but there is no confirmation from security agencies of an Islamist motive at this time.
According to Spiegel, the suspect entered Germany at the end of 2022 and applied for asylum. He was not recognized as an Islamist extremist by Germany's security agencies. These details were confirmed by the German Press Agency.
The suspect's asylum application was reportedly denied. He was to be deported to Bulgaria last year. Via this country, he had infiltrated the European Union. However, due to his disappearance into Germany's underground, the deportation was initially postponed, as reported by Welt and Focus. Later, the Syrian was relocated to Solingen.
According to the Dublin rules, the EU country responsible for processing an asylum application is usually the one where the refugee entered European territory first - most likely Bulgaria in this case. If the person subsequently moves illegally to another EU country, such as Germany, the latter may submit a request for transfer of responsibility to the original country. If the request is approved, deportation can be ordered. If the deportation is unsuccessful, responsibility returns to the country that initially intended to transfer the person.
NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) stated on Saturday evening during the ARD "Tagesthemen" broadcast that "there have been indications about this person, and we have also found evidence." He did not disclose the nature of the evidence.
IS asserts "revenge for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere."
IS Claims Responsibility for Attack in Propaganda Broadcast
IS claimed, through its propaganda channel Amak, that the attacker was an IS member and carried out the attack as "revenge for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere." The target was reportedly "a group of Christians."
The Düsseldorf police also received an alleged IS claim of responsibility. A police spokesperson stated that the veracity of this claim is currently being investigated. Sources from the investigative team highlighted that IS has, in the past, claimed responsibility for attacks without concrete proof of collaboration with the perpetrator.
The reference to "revenge for Muslims in Palestine" likely refers to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization, Hamas. Neither IS nor the terrorist network Al-Qaeda have ties with Hamas. However, security agencies caution of an increased threat of terrorism and radicalization within the Islamic world due to the prolonged conflict in Palestine. Germany is one of Israel's most significant allies and a major arms supplier.
Prominent Senior Public Prosecutor Markus Caspers mentioned at a press conference in Wuppertal on Saturday afternoon that "a motive cannot yet be determined, but, under the circumstances, the suspicion of a terrorist motive cannot be ruled out." If evidence of a terrorist crime is strengthened, the case could be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Federal Prosecutor General, which has now occurred.
Multiple Cases of Islamic Terrorism at the Federal Criminal Office
The Federal Criminal Office handles cases of Islamist-motivated terrorism, among other matters. General Federal Prosecutor Jens Rommel identified this as one of the primary threats to Germany in his annual report. Out of over 700 terrorism and state protection investigations initiated last year, nearly 500 related to Islamic terrorism. "Germany remains a target for radicalized Islamists," the Federal Criminal Office stated. The scope of the threat ranges from individually radicalized perpetrators to collaboratively acting terror cells.
On Saturday evening, police conducted a search of a refugee shelter in Solingen with the assistance of specialized forces. An individual who was allegedly connected to the perpetrator was taken into custody for questioning. At this stage, they are considered a witness.
A 15-year-old teen was apprehended early Saturday morning. The suspected offense against him is not reporting planned crimes.
The Solingen attack sparked widespread outrage across Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz described it as an "awful crime." "We cannot accept such incidents in our society and should never become accustomed to them. We must proceed with all the force of the law," the SPD politician stated during a visit to Brandenburg.
Federal Prosecutor General on Islamist-Motivated Terrorism BAMF on Dublin Procedure.
The suspect's asylum application was initially denied, but he was not deported due to his disappearance into Germany's underground. The Federal Criminal Office, handling cases of Islamist-motivated terrorism, has assumed control of the investigation, suspecting the individual of murder and membership in the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
