German police officer fatally stabbed during anti-Islam rally

A 29-year-old police officer has died of his injuries after being stabbed multiple times in an attack at an anti-Islam rally in Mannheim, southwest Germany.

The incident occurred Friday during a rally organized by Pax Europa, a group campaigning against radical Islam.

The attacker, brandishing a knife, injured several people in the market square, including five participants in the rally.

The police officer intervened during the attack and was “stabbed several times in the head”, according to a press release from the local police. Despite undergoing emergency surgery and being placed in an induced coma, the officer died today from his injuries.

The incident sparked a strong reaction from German authorities. Finance Minister Christian Lindner expressed his sadness and anger at this tragic event in an interview with German daily Bild. “

The death of the police officer moves me deeply and makes me angry about what is happening in our country,” Lindner said.

He stressed the need for a determined response to Islamist terrorism and promised increased financial support for security authorities. “We must defend ourselves decisively against Islamist terrorism and we will also financially strengthen the security authorities,” Lindner added.

The attack raised concerns about security at public gatherings and the threat of radical extremism in Germany, sparking calls for increased security measures to protect citizens and law enforcement.