German right-wing politician stabbed just days after knife attack at anti-Islam rally
German right-wing politician STABBED just days after knife attack at anti-Islam rally
REUTERS
A German politician has been stabbed in Mannheim days after a police officer was killed at an anti-Islam rally.
The local council candidate, who is a member of the populist AFD party, was attacked with a knife late on Tuesday evening.
He sustained injuries and the suspect was arrested by local police.
Heinrich Koch was named as the Mannheim candidate stabbed after confronting someone for pulling down posters in the square.
German right-wing politician STABBED just days after knife attack at anti-Islam rallyREUTERSPolice in Mannheim confirmed a police investigation is underway.
The local AFD association claimed the incident occurred near the city's market square shortly before 11pm.
The incident comes just days after a 29-year-old police officer was killed following a knife attack in the same city.
A 29-year-old police officer was killed during the rampage.
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The attacker could be seen apparently stabbing a police officer in the back of his neck before he was shotXHe was placed in an artificial coma but died on Sunday.
Responding to the death, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was "deeply grieved" and claimed the officer's "commitment to the safety of us all deserves the highest recognition".
A 25-year-old suspect, originally from Afghanistan, was shot and wounded at the scene.
He was transferred to hospital and held on suspicion of attempted murder.
A BPE campaigner (blue) could be seen throwing the attacker's knife across the floor to policeXActivists from Pax Europa organised the event where the rampage took place.
Anti-Islam activist Michael Sturzenberger, 59, who is one of the group's leading figures, was among those wounded.
Other victims included four men aged 25, 36, 42 and 54.
The 54-year-old man sustained injuries but they are no longer considered life-threatening.