Scholz, others pay last respect to those killed in fatal stabbing at Solingen, comfort families

 

SOLINGEN – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his team of ministers on Monday visited Solingen, specifically the scene where three people were killed and several others injured in massive a stabbing operation that has been categorised as terrorism.

The Chancellor who was short of words, prayed silently, for the repose of the life of those dead and comforted families who lost their loved ones and those whose family members were injured in that terrorist operation.

He branded the fatal stabbing as nothing but a terrorist attack directed against the entirety of German society.

“That was terrorism. Terrorism against us all, threatening our lives, our sense of community, the way we live,” Scholz said on Monday during a visit to the scene of the attack.

“We will not allow our community spirit to be destroyed by evil criminals who pursue the worst ideologies, and we will take action against them with the utmost rigour and severity,” the German leader said, lashing out at Islamists who “threaten peaceful coexistence.”

Three people were killed and eight wounded by a knife-wielding attacker during a festival celebrating the city’s 650th anniversary on Friday evening.

A 26-year-old suspect from Syria was subsequently remanded in custody by order of an investigating judge.

The federal prosecutor’s office has taken over the case and is investigating the suspect for murder and suspected membership of the Islamic State terrorist group.