By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
In Mannheim, a man armed with a knife attacked six individuals, including a police officer, at a market square, according to police reports. One of the injured is Michael Sulzberger, an anti-Islam activist who was preparing for a rally in the square, his group confirmed.
The incident, captured on a YouTube livestream, showed the attacker stabbing a man before targeting a police officer who intervened. The officer is reported to be in critical condition. Another police officer then shot and injured the assailant.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the attack as “terrible” and expressed his condolences to the victims, emphasizing on X (formerly Twitter) that “violence is absolutely unacceptable in our democracy. The perpetrator must be severely punished.”
Police in Mannheim tweeted about a "major police operation" at the market square, with a rescue helicopter deployed to the scene. The attack occurred at 11:35 (10:35 BST) and involved the use of a firearm against the attacker.
The incident coincided with a rally organized by Sturzenberger's group, Citizens' Movement Pax Europa (BPE). A city spokeswoman confirmed the event had been registered for Friday morning. BPE informed Bild newspaper that Sturzenberger sustained injuries to his leg and face and required surgery, although his life was not in danger. Stefanie Kizina, a colleague, suggested the attack was premeditated as it occurred before the event began.
Local newspaper Mannheimer Morgen reported that five BPE members and one police officer were among the injured. The police officer is in critical condition and requires emergency surgery, according to DPA.
The livestreamed video showed the attacker wounding several people and stabbing a police officer in the back. He was eventually subdued by armed police officers. The suspect, a 25 year old Afghan born man residing in Germany, has not been officially identified by police. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser indicated the attack might have an Islamist motive.
About Michael Sturzenberger
Michael Sturzenberger, 58, is known for his Islamophobic blog and is a member of BPE, which opposes the "Islamisation" of Germany. He is also an author for the anti-Muslim platform PI News and is under surveillance by the Bavarian domestic intelligence service. A former politician, Sturzenberger led the right wing populist party Die Freiheit until its dissolution in 2016. He was previously a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU) but left the party before facing expulsion.
