- Twenty-six-year-old individual, with a denied asylum petition: this is the information available regarding the alleged perpetrator
Around half past nine on a Friday night, an individual started indiscriminately stabbing people who were enjoying themselves. Three individuals met their unfortunate end: two men, aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman. Another eight individuals sustained severe injuries, but thankfully, they've recuperated since then. After the incident, the suspect was seen roaming the streets of Solingen with a shirt stained with blood, although his exact location post-attacks continues to be a mystery.
Who's Behind the Solingen Incident?
The police seemed to be baffled in the aftermath of the stabbing incident, as they struggled to ascertain the attacker's identity or whether there were multiple perpetrators involved. A young person was initially taken into custody for questioning, but no concrete leads were found after an asylum shelter was searched. Later on Saturday evening, the suspect himself surrendered to the authorities, presenting himself looking disheveled and with a bloodstained shirt.
The German Federal Prosecutor's Office has now taken charge of the case, as usual, in situations where terrorism is suspected. On Sunday, the suspect is likely to face an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice.This should provide more clarity about the attacker's identity and motives.
The Latest Details:
- The suspect is a 26-year-old man, originally from Syria.
- His identity has been revealed as Issa H.
- He moved to Germany in 2022.
- H.'s asylum application was rejected, and he had been scheduled for deportation to Bulgaria, where he first entered the EU, in the previous year.
- Reports suggest he managed to evade capture and go into hiding following his asylum rejection.
- The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the incident the day after. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating whether H. is or was associated with the terrorist organization. So far, he had not been identified as an Islamic extremist by the security authorities.
- Despite his temporary absence, he has been under temporary protective status in Germany since the end of 2023. This status is given to refugees whose asylum applications have been denied, but whose home countries pose significant safety concerns, like Syria.
- According to reports, H. discarded his bloodstained coat, along with his wallet and personal documents. The police used the ID to identify their suspect.
The Commission has expressed its condolences over the tragic events in Solingen, with three lives lost and several others injured due to the stabbing incident. The German Federal Prosecutor's Office, responsible for cases involving terrorism, is now leading the investigation into the incident.
