Extensive undertaking - Examining reasons behind Mannheim incident - worry for wounded police officer.
There's been a knife attack at an event organised by the Islam-critical movement Pax Europa in Mannheim, and the police are trying to figure out how this tragic event could have happened. The main priority for now is to determine the motive behind it. Unfortunately, the perpetrator, who's being treated at the hospital and unable to be interrogated, hasn't provided any information yet. No details about his identity have been released either.
The injured police officer is currently in critical condition, while the six other injured people, who were all participants in the demonstration, are admitted to the hospital. However, it's unclear if they're members of Pax Europa or not.
During the morning demonstration on the Mannheim Market Square, the attacker targeted the participants, injuring six people in total, including a police officer. The police spokesman stated that all the injured except the police officer were part of the protest, but there's no confirmation if they were part of Pax Europa as well. One of the leaders of the association, Michael Stürzenberger, was also injured. Stefanie Kizina, the treasurer of the organisation, revealed that he was stabbed in the face. Stürzenberger is known as one of the main figures in the association.
The authorities have many unanswered questions at the moment, such as where the knife came from or when and where the suspect acquired it. They are also investigating if the crime was planned or if it was a spontaneous act. The state office for political crimes of the Karlsruhe Public Prosecutor's Office is handling the case.
Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl (CDU), said, "Our thoughts go out to all the injured from the knife attack. I'm deeply concerned about the injured police officer."
A video of the incident was shared online, showing the perpetrator stabbing several individuals. People around them can be heard yelling to take the knife away, and a police officer can be seen shooting at the attacker. According to the police, the state prosecutor's office, and the Criminal Police Office, only one shot was fired.
The knife attack has left the country in shock, with reports of the event receiving wide coverage. Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the situation as "terrible" on X, stating, "My thoughts go out to the victims. Violence has no place in our democracy. The perpetrator must be punished severely."
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier shared his fury on Twitter, "I strongly condemn the knife attack in Mannheim! In our democracy, there's no place for violence - it destroys democracy. Freedom of expression is an important asset."
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck called the situation "terrible" and emphasised the need for a quick investigation into the incident.
Mannheim's Mayor, Christian Specht (CDU), described the attack as a "despicable and brutal terrorist attack" and vowed to stand against such violence.
Read also:
- The knife attack in Mannheim, Germany, occurred at an event organized by the extremist group Pax Europa, causing concern throughout Europe.
- The accused, currently under treatment in a Mannheim hospital, has yet to reveal his identity or motive, leaving authorities in Baden-Württemberg to probe further.
- Michael Stürzenberger, a prominent figure in Pax Europa, was among the injured during the attack, which primarily targeted attendees from the organization.
- Local police reported that the attacker used a knife to injure six individuals, including a police officer, during the demonstration at Mannheim Market Square.
- The large-scale operation to examine the circumstances behind the assault is being overseen by the state office for political crimes in Karlsruhe, led by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
- Stefanie Kizina, Treasurer at Pax Europa, shared her concerns about Stürzenberger's condition, stating that he sustained injuries to his face during the knife attack.
- As the incident becomes a topic of discussion in Southern Hesse and beyond, the Bild newspaper and other German media outlets cover the police investigation surrounding the crime.
- The Afghan city of Herat and its people suffered a similar tragedy with a knife attack, occurring some time ago, reiterating the global threat of violence against innocent lives.
- President Steinmeier of Germany and Chancellor Scholz not only denounce the actions in Mannheim but also underscore the importance of freedom of expression and democracy, regardless of the consequences.
