Dramatic review: Solingen fights for terror and violence

On December 27, 2024, the mayor of Solingen, Tim Kurzbach, looks back on one year that was characterized by tragic events. In an interview, Kurzbach explains the situation in his city, which attracted national attention due to several worrying incidents. In March, an apartment building on Grünewalder Straße was the destination of an arson attack, followed by an explosive incident in June on Konrad Adenauer Straße. The alleged terrorist attack in August during the city festival "Festival of Diversity", which affected numerous people, was particularly serious.

like Wikipedia reported, the knife attack occurred on August 23, 2024 when an attacker killed three people at the festival and injured eight more, four of whom were seriously injured. The perpetrator, a 26-year-old Syrian named Isa Al Hasan, was arrested the following day after the Islamic state complained about the attack. The public prosecutor's investigations taken over by the Attorney General showed that the attacker specifically stood up for the necks of his victims and poured out the call "Allahu Akbar".

reactions and follow -up campaigns

The attack occurred directly in front of a stage of the city festival at 9:37 p.m. The police quickly realized that it was an individual offender. The murder weapon, a knife with a blade of 15 cm, was found in a trash can near the crime scene, with the DNA of the perpetrator. Kurzbach describes in 2024 as a difficult year for the city, in which many people are happy to leave the year behind. After the knife attack, all other events of the city festival were canceled.

The reactions to the attack were numerous. Politicians and religious representatives condemned the crime and expressed compassion with the victims. The North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament used an investigation committee to illuminate the background of the attack. There was a debate about possible changes in the law in the area of ​​weapons law and asylum policy. In this context, a security and asylum package of the federal government was also presented, which, among other things, provides for a knife ban at major events.

Tim Kurzbach emphasizes that Solingen has set a strong sign against terrorism and it is important to draw the teachings from these tragic events. The city and its citizens are determined not to get back and to stand up for a safe and prejudice -free community.