German anti-Islam activist injured in knife attack
According to authorities, a knife-wielding individual assaulted six individuals, including a law enforcement officer, at a marketplace in the southwest German city of Mannheim.
Among the injured was Michael Stürzenberger, an anti-Islam activist slated to lead a demonstration in the area, as reported by his affiliated organization.
The event unfolded on a YouTube livestream, capturing the assailant’s actions as he stabbed multiple victims, including a responding police officer who sustained critical injuries.
Another law enforcement officer intervened, ultimately injuring the attacker with gunfire.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the incident, labeling it as “terrible,” and expressing solidarity with those affected. He underscored the imperative of severe consequences for the perpetrator, emphasizing zero tolerance for violence in a democratic society.
Mannheim police took to Twitter to announce a significant law enforcement response at the marketplace, with a rescue helicopter dispatched to the scene.
Authorities clarified that the assault occurred at 11:35 local time, injuring several individuals with a knife, as detailed in a subsequent police statement.
A firearm was then used against the attacker, it added.
The attack is understood to have happened at the same time as a rally in the market square hosted by far-right anti-Islam activist, Michael Stürzenberger, and his organization the Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa (BPE).
A spokeswoman for the city of Mannheim confirmed that the organization had registered an event on the market square for Friday morning.
BPE confirmed to Bild newspaper that Mr Stürzenberger was attacked in the leg and face.
His colleague Stefanie Kizina told the newspaper that Mr Stürzenberger had to undergo surgery, but his life was not in danger.
“The attack happened before the event even started, it must have been planned well in advance,” she said.
Police have not released any further information about those injured in the attack.
Local newspaper Mannheimer Morgen has reported that the attacker injured six people, including five BPE members and one police officer.
According to DPA, the police officer was in critical condition and will have to undergo emergency surgery.
A live-streamed video from the event shows a man attacking people with a knife. At least one person is seen with a wound to the leg.
Several bystanders are seen grappling with the attacker, who later manages to break free and stab a police officer in the back.
Several police officers with firearms then surround him, before he falls to the ground.
Police have not released the identity of the suspect, but German media outlets say he is a 25-year-old man who was born in Afghanistan but lives in Germany.
Although a motive has not been confirmed, Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said there was a possibility that the attack could be Islamist-motivated.