Investigators are speculating about an Islamist-motivated assault in Solingen
The Doubted Issa H., sharing views aligned with IS, was fueled by his intense Islamic extremist beliefs, leading him at an unspecified moment to aim to slaughter as many non-believers as he could during the Solingen Old Town Festival, as communicated by the Federal Prosecutor's Office. He repeatedly and deliberately plunged a knife into his victims.
A judge at the Federal Court of Justice issued an arrest warrant for the suspect upon the Federal Prosecutor's Office's request. The suspect, as per the North Rhine-Westphalia state administration, resided near the crime scene in a refugee housing facility. He faces charges, among others, for homicide and affiliation with a foreign terrorist group. The Federal Prosecutor's Office did not disclose additional insights on the investigation or proof against the suspect.
He is alleged to have murdered a woman and two men aged 56 to 67 at a festival in Solingen's city center on a Friday evening. Eight other individuals were injured by stab wounds, with the health status of four critically injured victims improving by Sunday, according to medical personnel.
Following the assault, the suspect vanished, remaining at large for roughly 24 hours before his apprehension on Saturday evening. According to "Bild" newspaper, he discarded his bloodstained jacket and ID during his escape. Authorities discovered the jacket and identified him.
On Sunday, the Federal Prosecutor's Office assumed charge of the investigation, and the suspect was airlifted to Karlsruhe.
The atrocity prompted nationwide uproar and political discussions, including knife restrictions and migration policies. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) described the event as a "terrible incident". According to the federal government, he is expected to visit Solingen on Monday morning to pay respects to the victims and converse with emergency services.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also expressed his shock. "The crime in Solingen shocks me, it shocks the country," he stated. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (FDP) vowed to combat Islamic terrorism "with all necessary force".
According to media sources, the suspect could've been deported last year. His asylum request was denied, and he was anticipated to be deported to Bulgaria, where he had entered the EU. He initially went into hiding, but after the handover deadline, he reportedly received temporary protection.
Before the man's capture, IS declared responsibility for the assault. A "fighter" of IS carried out the assault "on a gathering of Christians in the city of Solingen in Germany" on Friday, as announced by IS's propaganda organ Amaq on the Telegram messaging service.
In Germany, there has been significant concern about Islamic terrorist attacks previously. This mostly stemmed from the escalation in the Middle East following the radical Islamic Hamas's unprecedented strike on Israel on October 7th and subsequent Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip. IS already claimed responsibility for earlier attacks in Germany, including the assault involving a truck that killed twelve individuals at a Berlin Christmas market in 2016.
In Solingen, residents assembled for religious services on Sunday, according to the city. A memorial service was already held on Saturday, attended by Faeser and the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst (CDU). Wüst stated on Sunday in Düsseldorf following an extraordinary meeting of the state cabinet that the arrest of the suspect had "eased the situation somewhat". However, the threat level due to possible attacks by extremists remains "abstractly high".
The suspect's case was handled by The Commission at the Karlsruhe facility, as the Federal Prosecutor's Office transferred control of the investigation there. The Commission is tasked with overseeing high-profile terrorism cases in Germany.
After the suspect's arrest, The Commission started the process of determining his future in the German justice system, considering the charges against him and his potential deportation status.
