German knife attack suspect detained for alleged membership of 'terrorist group': prosecutor
The German prosecutor's office on Sunday ordered the pre-trial detention of the suspected perpetrator of a deadly knife attack in 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. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for Friday night's attack.
On Friday evening, the suspect randomly stabbed several people with a knife at a town festival in Solingen. Three people were killed and eight others injured.
Police said in a statement that the suspect was a 26-year-old Syrian who had "given himself up to authorities in charge of the investigation and declared himself responsible for the attack".
READ ALSO: German police say Syrian suspect confesses to knife rampage
Head of CSU Söder calls for stricter laws after attack in Solingen
In the wake of the deadly knife attack in Solingen, CSU leader and Bavaria state premier Markus Söder has called for more powers for the police to be able to carry out random checks, for example, in pedestrianised areas.
"We don't have the right tools to react to and against violence," said Söder in the ARD "Summer Interview", AFP reported. "You get checked in your car, that's possible even without a reason. That's not the case in pedestrianised areas," he said.
Söder also called for more consistent deportations of refugees to Syria, saying that anyone who resisted deportation should be "placed in deportation detention".
Germany's vice chancellor Robert Habeck also demanded tougher knife laws Sunday.
Bundesminister und Vizekanzler #Habeck zu der Tat in #Solingen und rechtlichen Verschärfungen. pic.twitter.com/34LXDC0kgA
— Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (@BMWK) August 25, 2024
"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.
Thousands demonstrate against the far-right
Thousands of people took to the streets to demonstrate in favour of democracy and diversity ahead of eastern state votes.
Elections are being held in both Saxony and Thuringia next Sunday - and the far-right AfD could become the strongest party, acording to polls.
Around 11,000 people gathered in the Saxon state capital of Dresden and in Leipzig, according to organisers. According to the latest polls, the CDU are set to secure 31 percent of the vote in Saxony, while the AfD is on course for 30 percent,
Meanwhile, about 7,000 people gathered in front of the state parliament in Erfurt under the slogan ‘Stop right-wing extremism - go vote on Sunday’.
In Thuringia, the AfD, with controversial regional leader Björn Höcke, is polling ahead at 30 percent, followed by the CDU with 23 percent.
READ ALSO: Inside Germany - Gearing up for explosive state elections and the German Switzerlands
Four-day strike planned at German airline Discover
Unions representing pilots and cabin crew members are calling for a strike at the Lufthansa subsidiary Discover.
The four-day strike over a collective bargaining dispute is set to start on Tuesday.
The airline operates 27 aircraft from Munich and Frankfurt to holiday destinations in Europe and overseas. The industrial action will likely cause severe disruptions to people's holiday plans.Â
The Cockpit Pilots' Association (Vereinigung Cockpit or VC) and the Independent Flight Attendants' Organisation (UFO) are striking because they want to enforce their own collective bargaining agreements.Â
The union Verdi recently struck a collective bargaining agreement with Discover - something that has provoked anger.Â
READ ALSO: Pilots and cabin crew vote for strike action at German airline Discover
Brandenburg's premier to leave state politics if SPD loses to AfD in state elections
Dietmar Woidke, Brandenburg's state premier and the top candidate for the upcoming state elections, has said he will turn his back on state politics if his SPD party does not beat the AfD in the September 22nd elections.
"I'm not sticking to the post," he said, adding that if the SPD doesn't win "then I'm gone. It's as simple as that."
The SPD may be behind the AfD in opinion polls, but unlike in Saxony and Thuringia which are also voting next month, the party, which has headed up the state government since 1990, still has a chance.
But the Brandenburg SPD doesn't want to be dragged down by the maelstrom of the traffic light coalition and is therefore avoiding campaigning with Chancellor Olaf Scholz or others from Berlin.
"We don't need borrowed celebrities," he said.
READ ALSO: How similar are Germany's AfD and BSW parties?
Charismatic German coach Daum dies aged 70
German coach Christoph Daum, who led Stuttgart to the Bundesliga title in 1992, has died from lung cancer at the age of 70, the German Football League (DFL) confirmed on Sunday.
"German football is in mourning after the death of Christoph Daum. The former Bundesliga-winning coach has died at the age of 70 from long-term cancer," the DFL said in a statement.
Daum, who also coached Cologne and Bayer Leverkusen before winning titles in Turkey and Austria, went public with his cancer battle in October 2022, saying he wanted to raise awareness of the illness.
With additional reporting from DPA
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