German court orders detention of Afghan-born man after stabbing attack at anti-Islamic politics event

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A German court on Saturday ordered the detention of a 25-year-old Afghan-born man on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a stabbing attack at an event organized by an opposition group to “political Islam” which left six dead. injured people.

Among the victims was a police officer who remained hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being stabbed while trying to intervene, police and prosecutors said in a joint statement.

Authorities have not provided any information on the motive for Friday's attack on Mannheim's central square.

A statement from the police and prosecutor said the suspect had lived in Germany since 2014, was married and had two children. His apartment in the municipality of Heppenheim was searched on Friday evening and the police recovered digital devices whose contents were being evaluated.

Authorities said the suspect, who was shot and wounded by police, was hospitalized and was unfit to be questioned. They said he had no criminal record.

They did not disclose the suspect's citizenship or immigration status, or how he arrived in Germany.

The Pax Europa group describes itself as an organization that informs the public about the dangers posed by “the growing spread and influence of political Islam.” Michael Stürzenberger, an anti-Islamist activist who is one of the group's leading figures and has spoken at its events, was among the injured.

Stürzenberger, 59, posted a photo of himself on his Telegram channel from his hospital bed, showing a long bandaged cut on his upper lip and cheek. He said he suffered “significant blood loss” from a stab wound to his thigh as well as a cut to his jaw which was stapled shut.

The other victims were five men aged 25, 36, 42 and 54. The 25-year-old man was released from hospital, while the others were still being treated. The 54-year-old suffered initially life-threatening injuries, but is now out of danger.