A knife attack in Mannheim, Germany, on May 31, 2024, has left several people injured at a rally held by the anti-Islam organization Pax Europa. The assailant, identified as an Afghan living in Hesse, targeted the rally and injured multiple individuals, including Michael Stürzenberger, a conservative politician and anti-Islam activist. After attacking the crowd, the perpetrator was shot by police and is reportedly in critical condition. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have both condemned the attack, with Scholz labeling it a terrorist attack and emphasizing that such violence is unacceptable in a democracy. The attack, which has been described as ‘horrific’ by Scholz, took place just days before the European elections and has sparked widespread outrage. The police have declared that there is no longer a danger to the public. While the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, authorities are investigating whether it was motivated by Islamist extremism. The incident was captured on camera and streamed on YouTube, highlighting the brazen nature of the attack. The state prosecutor’s office has taken over the investigation, and the mayor of Mannheim has described the event as a terrorist attack.
Key points
- A knife attack at a Pax Europa rally in Mannheim, Germany injured several, including founder Michael Stürzenberger.
- The attacker, an Afghan living in Hesse, was shot by police and is believed to have had Islamic motives.
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the attack, with Scholz calling it a terrorist attack.
- The motive is under investigation, but Islamist extremism has not been ruled out.
Contradictions👾While most sources report the attack as being motivated by Islamic extremism, the exact motive is still under investigation and has not been officially confirmed.
