As Germany reels from a tragic stabbing attack committed by a member of a terrorist organization, its leaders are promising to crack down on immigration laws to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Three people were killed and eight injured when the suspect—later identified as Issa Al H., a 26-year-old member of ISIS who was staying in a refugee shelter before the attack—took a knife to several victims at a local festival on Friday August 23. The incident has led to calls for increased security and asylum policies.
The Syrian national’s last name has not been revealed, per privacy laws in Germany, but he has been described by ISIS as a “soldier of the Islamic State” who committed the attack—targeting Christians—in order to “avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.” Issa Al H had reportedly been in Germany for two years, seeking asylum and living in a refugee shelter.
In response to the tragedy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz demanded that Germany increase its toughness regarding immigration and pushed for more deportations. He said during a visit to the stabbing site that the country will “do everything” possible to prevent illegal residents from committing crimes against citizens, ensuring they are “repatriated and deported.”
Scholz further described the attack as “terrorism” which was conducted “against us all.” The violent attack comes as more of a shock considering the infrequency of fatal stabbings and shootings in the country, although German leaders recently indicated a desire to implement harsher rules regarding carrying knives in public.
But back in May, an immigrant from Afghanistan committed a stabbing attack in the southwest of the country. The incident left multiple people wounded—including an activist resisting Islam—and led to the death of a police officer. Shortly after, a member of the Alternative for Germany political party was stabbed during a campaign event.
Issa Al H’s arrest was announced by authorities on Saturday August 24. The stabbing took place in Solingen, in western Germany. The city was hosting a festival celebrating the anniversary of its founding. As of last week, four out of six people who were most seriously injured remained in critical condition.
The day after the stabbing, Issa Al H voluntarily turned himself in to police, saying that he was “responsible for the attack,” according to law enforcement and prosecutors. The young man now faces charges of three murder counts and eight attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm counts. The prosecutor’s office also revealed the chilling fact that Issa Al H became a member of ISIS ahead of the attack last week.
Those who suffered fatal and non-fatal injuries at the festival were hearing live music in honor of their city’s 650th anniversary. The stabbing spree began at about 9:35 on Friday night. Three people were killed—two men who were 67 and 56 years old and one woman who was also 56. Police say that Issa Al H intentionally tried to cut victims’ throats.
