Germany: Dresden Knife Attack Likely Motivated by Islamic Extremism

A 20-year-old Syrian who stabbed one person to death and wounded another in Dresden was likely motivated by Islamic extremism, German prosecutors said on Wednesday.

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“Investigations have shown that the dreadful killing in Dresden had an Islamist background,” Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht said. “Islamist terror is a major, enduring threat to our society that we have to tackle determinedly.”

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The authorities said the suspect had an extensive criminal record, including charges of soliciting support for a foreign terrorist organization, and charges of bodily injury, and making threats.

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The alleged attacker came to Germany in 2015 and applied for asylum, according to Der Spiegel magazine. Even though his application was rejected, he has managed to stay in Germany under the so-called “tolerated” status which German authorities give to rejected asylum seekers who cannot be deported.

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