German knife attack suspect detained for alleged membership of ‘terrorist group’: prosecutor

Prosecutors said the Syrian suspected of a deadly knife attack belonged to a “terrorist group”, and was arrested at a hostel for asylum seekers.

The German prosecutor’s office has ordered the pre-trial detention of the suspected perpetrator of a deadly knife attack in the city of Solingen, suspecting him of belonging to a “terrorist group”.

The arrest warrant says that the suspect identified as “Syrian national Issa Al H” will be detained over “strong suspicions of belonging to a terrorist group abroad” as well as of murder and attempted murder.

Members of a special police unit escort a man suspected to be responsible for the Solingen knife attack from a helicopter to the office of the Federal Prosecutor in Karlsruhe, southern Germany. Picture: AFP

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which left three dead and eight injured gave himself up and confessed in custody, according to police.

All of the victims were stabbed in the neck, according to police.

Police also said the Syrian national, aged 26, had been arrested, and his involvement “in the events is currently the subject of a thorough investigation”.

Police arrested the suspect in a raid at a hostel for asylum seekers, not far from the scene of the random attack during a ‘festival of diversity’ to celebrate the 650th anniversary of Solingen, in western Germany.

Over the weekend, investigators were seen carrying bags of evidence out of the hostel.

Police carry evidence out of a refugee accommodation in Solingen, western Germany, during the investigation following the deadly knife attack, allegedly by a Syrian national. Picture: AFP

Germany’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has demanded tougher knife laws.

“No one in Germany needs to have a knife in a public place,” the Green politician said on the X social media platform, adding that stricter laws were needed. The economics affairs and energy minister said “Islamic terrorism” was one of “the biggest security dangers” Germany faces.

Candles and flowers and the inscription "Why? You are not alone" near the area where three people were killed and several injured during a knife attack during a city festival in Solingen. Germany. Picture: Ina Fassbender/AFP

Two others were arrested over the rampage, including a 15-year-old who was accused of failing to report a crime.

A second arrest was made on Saturday, local time, following a police operation at a home for refugees in Solingen, police said.

In a statement on its Telegram account, Islamic State said the attack was “in revenge for Muslims in Palestine and everywhere”.

Police officers carry evidence out of a refugee hostel in Solingen, western Germany. Picture: AFP

Witnesses claimed the 15-year-old arrested had allegedly spoken to an unidentified person about “intentions that would match with the crime” shortly before the attack, senior public prosecutor Markus Caspers said in a news conference.

The attacker specifically targeted victims’ necks, police said, according to the Washington Post.

Three people — two men, aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman — were killed, police said.

People take part in a memorial service for the victims of the deadly stabbings in Solingen. Picture: Getty Images

Police patrol near the scene of the horror knife attack at Solingen’s Festival of Diversity. Picture: AFP

Among the eight hurt, were “very seriously injured” and are in the hospital.

The attacker allegedly began attacking revellers randomly with a knife from around 9.45pm local time in Solingen on Friday night, a city 25km from Dusseldorf.

Dozens of emergency workers rushed to the scene as police, including special forces launched a manhunt for the suspect and set up numerous roadblocks and deployed a helicopter around the city.

Police and ambulances stand near the scene where a several people died and several were injured in an attack. Picture: AFP

The attack took place during the celebrations for the city’s 650th anniversary at the Fronhof as part of the Festival of Diversity.

The event was set to feature music, street theatre, variety shows and comedians in the city centre and several other areas and was due to run until Sunday with about 80,000 visitors over three days.

According to Bild, police deployed 40 tactical vehicles to find the stabbing suspect.

The vehicles were being commanded by German’s “Special Task Force”.

Residents were asked to stay indoors as officers carry out their search.

Forensic police wearing white coverall suits as they search for evidence. Picture: AFP.

At least three people have been killed in the horror attack. Picture: AFP.

The Solinger Tageblatt newspaper said many of the people attending the festival did not know an attack had occurred until organisers came to the stage at 10pm local time to announce the event had been cancelled.

Attendees were asked to peacefully leave the scene, and not to panic as they departed.

Witness Lars Breitzke told the outlet that he knew something was wrong when he saw a singer on stage with a strange expression on their face.

A number of people have been killed and injured in a suspected knife attack in the western German city of Solingen. Picture: AFP.

“And then a person fell over just a metre away from me,” Mr Breitzke said.

“People left the scene in shock, but calmly,” Philipp Mueller, one of the organisers, told the newspaper.

Photos from the aftermath show police with automatic guns, as well as forensics officers collecting evidence.

Local mayor Tim Kurzbach says those who were at the event are in a state of “shock, horror and great grief”.

A forensics team investigates a crime scene after the Solingen City festival. Picture: Getty Images.

“It tears my heart apart that there was an attack on our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we have lost. I pray for all those who are still fighting for their lives,” he said.

“Also my greatest sympathy for all those people who had to experience this, these images must have been horrific.”

Hendrik Wuest, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia state, also expressed his “shock and grief” in a post on social media platform X.

“An act of the most brutal and senseless violence has struck at the heart of our state,” he said.

“The whole of North Rhine-Westphalia stands by the people of Solingen, especially the victims and their families.”

The city was celebrating its 650th anniversary. Picture: AFP.

Germany has seen a series of knife attacks over the past 12 months, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser promising to crack down on knife crime.

A police officer was killed and five people were wounded in a knife attack at a far-right rally in the city of Mannheim in late May.

At the moment, knives with a blade length of 12cm are legally allowed to be carried in public in Germany.

Ms Faeser wants this to be reduced to 6 centimetres, with switchblades — a pocket knife with a retractable, spring operated blade — banned altogether.

Originally published as German knife attack suspect detained for alleged membership of ‘terrorist group’: prosecutor