Migration policy needs to be tightened – such demands are appearing more and more often in the German media. For example, the newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” asks how it is possible that “a man whose asylum application was rejected and who should have left the country long ago, carries out a cold-blooded knife attack?” This is the aftermath of the terrorist attack of August 23 in Solingen, in which three people died.
He is 26 years old, a Syrian, and has turned himself in to the police. He is said to be responsible for the stabbing in western Germany and, according to investigators, is a member of ISIS.
– We are investigating, among other things, murder and attempted murder. And suspicion of belonging to a foreign terrorist organization, the so-called Islamic State – said Ines Peterson, spokeswoman for the German federal prosecutor.
Issa Al H. is suspected of killing three people and wounding eight during the 650th anniversary celebrations of the town of Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia, where he arrived two years ago.
“This is an act of terror, an act of terror against the security and freedom of our country and against the way we live here,” said Hendrik Wüst, Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The daily Die Welt, citing official but anonymous sources, claims that the suspect was supposed to be expelled from the country a year ago after his asylum application was rejected. According to reports, the Syrian was supposed to be deported to the first EU country he landed in, which was Bulgaria. He had been living in a refugee center recently.
Growing pressure on Scholz's government
“Al H. should have been deported to Bulgaria. However, the man was in hiding for many months. He moved to a refugee center in Solingen. According to “Der Spiegel”, the Sunni Muslim was not recognized by law enforcement as an Islamist extremist,” we read in the daily “Die Welt”.
The prosecutor's office is unable to determine exactly when the man swore allegiance to the jihadists. However, in his testimony, he clearly stated the purpose of his actions.
“Because of his radical Islamist beliefs, he decided to kill as many people as possible whom he considered infidels,” the Federal Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.
The newspapers are writing about the growing pressure on Olaf Scholz's government to tighten its migration policy. The chancellor announced this on August 26. Possible deportations to Syria and Afghanistan will require many changes, however, because neither of these countries are on the safe list due to their internal situation.
SEE ALSO: “This is an act of terrorism against all of us.” Scholz announces fight against illegal migration
Emergency services at the scene of a knife attack in SolingenReuters
“We will have to do everything in our power to ensure the deportation of people who cannot and should not stay in Germany,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
There has also been a heated discussion in the country about banning knives. The “Berliner Morgenpost” wrote that the problem of crimes involving sharp instruments is clearly growing.
“Knife bans, knife-free zones, bans on carrying knives for people who have already committed crimes – these are the solutions that politicians are now discussing even more intensively,” we read in the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, which suggests several possible directions.
Critics of these ideas point out that the source of the problem lies elsewhere.
The far right is exploiting the terrorist attack case
The residents of Solingen gathered for a memorial service on August 25 in solidarity with the families of those killed and injured. It was originally intended to be a joyful part of the celebration of the city's founding anniversary.
“I am stunned. This cannot happen again, not in Solingen, not anywhere. I have lived here for five years. I like living here and I don't want this city to always be associated with bad things, because it is not,” said Heike, a resident of Solingen.
– A lot of people came here, so as you can see, we were not intimidated. This ceremony was very appropriate, adequate in every respect. It is something comforting, it gives hope – commented Otto, a resident of Solingen.
The far right is exploiting the terrorist attack. On August 25, the AfD youth wing also organized a protest in Solingen. The group was met by a counter-demonstration demanding unity around the fight against fascism. There were clashes with the police.
“I urgently appeal to those who now want to spread hatred because of this terrible act. This society must unite, especially in such difficult times,” said Nancy Faeser, Germany's interior minister.
As part of the investigation after the attack, German police also made a second arrest. This was also a person staying at the asylum center, located just a few hundred meters from the site of the attack. It is not yet known whether he is connected to the crime. The officers were supposed to have been led to the scene by a tracking dog.
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Main image source: PAP/EPA/Ronald Wittek