During a far-right demonstration in Mannheim, Germany, a knifeman attacked and wounded several people in the city’s market square. The police responded by shooting the attacker, who was also injured.
During a rally organized by the Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa, which describes itself as ‘anti-Islamization,’ a knife-wielding assailant injured several people in Mannheim, Germany. The incident took place around 11:30 a.m. local time.
The Mannheim police conducted a significant operation to apprehend the attacker in the market square. This operation involved a rescue helicopter and led to the suspension of tram services.
“A firearm was used against the attacker,” Mannheim police said in a statement.
The attacker’s motive remains unclear. In the live-streamed video, civilians can be observed trying to subdue the assailant. The same attacker is also seen stabbing a police officer. Eventually, another officer shot the assailant while he was grappling with a civilian.
🇩🇪 | El vídeo completo del ataque islamista en Mannheim. pic.twitter.com/7BBnDRjoiu
— ʜᴇʀQʟᴇs (@herqles_es) May 31, 2024
Germany has been on heightened alert for potential Islamist attacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the country’s domestic intelligence chief emphasizing that the risk of such assaults is significant and more pronounced than in previous periods.
“The images from Mannheim are terrible. Violence is absolutely unacceptable in our democracy. The perpetrator must be severely punished.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the attack as “terrible”, and wrote on X.
On Friday Stuerzenberger was due to speak at a rally in Mannheim organized by Pax Europa, a campaign group against radical Islam. One of the victims was Michael Stuerzenberger, a German far-right activist and blogger, according to media reports.
The group reported that Michael Stürzenberger and several Pax Europa volunteers were injured during a knife attack at the rally. Stürzenberger sustained severe stab wounds to his face and leg, while a police officer was also stabbed in the back and neck,” according to their website.
Michael Stürzenberger, who identifies as an Islam-critical journalist, has affiliations with several far-right anti-Islam organizations, including the PEGIDA movement that regularly holds marches, particularly in eastern Germany.
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