Radical ideologies - Steinmeier recalls slain police officer in Mannheim.
Steinmeier, the Federal President, honored slain officer Rouven Laur in Mannheim's Market Square. Joined by Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President from the Greens, and Thomas Strobl, State Interior Minister from the CDU, they observed a moment of silence at 11:34 am, as requested by the Baden-Württemberg police. The incident occurred a week ago when a 25-year-old Afghan wounded five members of the anti-Islamic group Pax Europa and the 29-year-old officer with a knife. Day before yesterday, Laur succumbed to his injuries.
At the very spot where the tragedy unfolded, Steinmeier placed a wreath of flowers. The bereaved city of Mannheim, home to 300,000 residents, drew a crowd to mourn the fallen. Statewide, police officers stood with heavy hearts in solemn remembrance.
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Steinmeier spoke of the importance of standing against extremism, echoing Laur's commitment to upholding the rule of law. Winfried Kretschmann expressed his condolences, expressing his sadness at the loss of a dedicated officer. The incident sparked demonstrations across Germany, with citizens calling for unity and peace. Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged the nation to learn from this tragedy, emphasizing the need to combat radical ideologies.
Politicians from various parties, including the SPD, CDU, and the Greens, pledged their support and solidarity with the Laur family and the police force. Thomas Strobl, the State Interior Minister, promised to increase security measures to protect law enforcement officers. The incident has also fueled discussions about immigration and integration policies, with some calling for stricter measures against extremist groups in Germany.
