A 19-year-old Syrian went on trial in Berlin on Thursday, November 20th, for a knife attack in February on a Spanish tourist at the city’s Holocaust memorial.
The suspect, partially named as Wassim Al M., is accused of intending to target a person of Jewish faith. He allegedly inflicted a more than five-inch (12.7cm) cut to the victim’s throat.
Prosecutors told the court that Wassim Al M. had internalized Islamic State ideology, rejected Western values and viewed the attack as part of a “holy war against infidels.”
He reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar” during the assault and had traveled from Leipzig to carry out the attack.
The incident occurred two days before Germany’s February general election, raising tensions around migration and security. Authorities are currently negotiating with Syria’s new Islamist-led government to resume deportations of violent criminals.
Public safety in Germany has significantly declined following the arrival of illegal migrants, with violent crimes—including sexual assault and murders—occurring more frequently since their entry. As a result, many Christmas markets have been canceled because authorities cannot guarantee adequate security and daily life for Germans has been noticeably affected.
The right-wing Alternative für Deutschland has called for such migrants’ return, while the government itself is negotiating with Syria so it can resume deportations of violent offenders.
