In a recent incident in Frankfurt, Germany, a 19-year-old Afghan asylum seeker is being held in police custody after allegedly attacking a 41-year-old woman with a knife. This attack occurred just ten days after a fatal stabbing of a policeman in Mannheim, which also left four others injured.
The attack took place on June 10, along the river Main in Frankfurt. According to reports from the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) and the German state broadcaster ARD’s news program Tagesschau, the young Afghan asylum seeker attacked a woman, potentially of Ukrainian origin, while she was sitting on a park bench. The victim and the attacker were strangers.
The assailant reportedly approached the woman from behind, grabbed her shoulder, and began stabbing her head and neck. Despite her injuries, the woman managed to escape momentarily but collapsed a short distance away. Her screams attracted bystanders who intervened, causing the attacker to flee. Police later apprehended him hiding in nearby bushes, utilizing helicopters in their search.
On June 11, the Frankfurt state prosecutor charged the young man with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. Although the victim sustained serious injuries, she is currently not in life-threatening condition. A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office praised the bystanders for their “civil courage” and credited them with likely saving the woman’s life.
The attack has reignited debates over migration policies in Germany. Jens Spahn, deputy chair of the opposition conservative CDU party, criticized the incident as part of a troubling pattern of violence linked to irregular migration. He argued that allowing migrants from violent regions into Germany increases domestic violence rates.
In contrast, Omid Nouripour, co-chair of the Green Party and a native of Frankfurt, condemned the crime as “despicable” on his social media. He wished the victim a speedy recovery and praised those who assisted at the scene. Nouripour emphasized that the attacker must face justice for his actions.
The CDU has renewed calls for the government to ease deportation procedures for violent criminals. Last week, the Taliban expressed a willingness to discuss deportations with the German government. However, pro-migrant organizations like Pro Asyl argue that convicted criminals should serve their sentences in Germany rather than being deported.
In a related incident reported by the NZZ, a 22-year-old Afghan allegedly attacked police officers with a “long knife” on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen. This attack followed his assault on anti-migrant AFD party voting posters, indicating a possible political motive.