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Bloody knife attack in Aschaffenburg: Who is to blame?
Knife attack in Aschaffenburg: two dead, several injured; political debate about migration and failure of the authorities broke out.
Bloody knife attack in Aschaffenburg: Who is to blame?
On January 22, 2025, a tragic incident shook Aschaffenburg: There was a brutal knife attack in Schöntal Park in which a 28-year-old Afghan, Enamullah O., used a 32 centimeter long kitchen knife. A two-year-old boy and a passerby lost their lives, while several other people, including another child and a teacher, were seriously injured. After the incident, the perpetrator was taken to a psychiatric hospital in Lohr am Main, where doctors determined that he was considered mentally ill and not responsible.
How ZDF today reported, the perpetrator was charged in court with murder, attempted murder and manslaughter. What is particularly explosive is the fact that Enamullah O. was required to leave the country at the time of the crime, but was not deported. Authorities had already registered previous incidents with him, which raised questions about the ability of the police and the Bavarian authorities to act.
Mental illness and legal consequences
Dominikus Bönsch, head of the psychiatric clinic, explained that mentally ill perpetrators do not belong in the prison system, but in correctional facilities. The case highlights the urgency of reforms in the handling of such cases.
A security procedure has now begun at the Aschaffenburg regional court, which consists of seven planned hearing dates. The population is wondering how this disaster could have happened and what the authorities can learn from what happened.
Political reactions and migration debate
The incident sparked a heated debate about migration policy in Germany. Euronews highlights that opposition parties, led by CDU leader Friedrich Merz, are calling for increased border controls and making proposals to turn back all illegal immigrants at the borders. Merz criticizes the asylum and immigration policy of the last ten years as misguided and is submitting proposals to tighten migration to the Bundestag.
Some parties, including the SPD, are reacting with their own draft laws that call for more powers for security authorities and biometric comparison with internet data. In view of the upcoming federal election, the debate is shaped not only by emotions, but also by political calculations.
The discussion about security in Germany and political responsibility will continue to gain momentum in the coming weeks. The Aschaffenburg case painfully shows that there is an urgent need for action.