Knife attack in Solingen: Defendant admits triple murder!

Knife attack in Solingen: Defendant admits triple murder!

In the trial surrounding the knife attack in Solingen, in which three people died in August 2024, the accused Issa al H. confessed to his crimes. The 27-year-old explained before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court: "I have taken on grave guilt. Three people died by my hand." While he admitted his guilt in the killings, he remained silent on allegations of membership in the so-called Islamic State (IS) and emphasized his innocence in their claims.

The fatal attack occurred on August 23, 2024 during a city festival in Solingen, when al H. stabbed his victims - two men aged 56 and 67 and a 56-year-old woman - from behind with a knife and shouted "Allahu akbar" several times. It became clear to humanity that this attack was one of the worst Islamist-motivated acts in Germany. The federal prosecutor's office is now accusing al H. of three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder. Eight other people were also injured.

Background of the perpetrator

Issa al H. originally comes from Deir al-Sor in Syria and previously lived in Turkey. He entered Germany via Bulgaria to apply for asylum, but this failed because he wanted to be returned to Bulgaria. Despite his exposure to Islamist-jihadist forums and travel to rejoin ISIS, there are reports that no warning signs or criminal activity were documented before the attack. Former roommates described the defendant as both radicalized and unremarkable.

His radicalization was gradual. Starting in 2019, al H. began searching IS fight songs on the internet and actively preparing to carry out an attack. In the weeks before the attack, he received tips and instructions via Telegram from an administrator close to ISIS, including a checklist for carrying out attacks.

Political reactions and security policy debates

The attack sparked intense political discussions in Germany about internal security and possible deportations. The state parliament in Düsseldorf has set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the failed deportation of al H. Political representatives are calling for tougher measures against Islamist terrorism and a review of asylum procedures, particularly those involving potentially vulnerable people.

In the context of Islamist threats, the incident in Solingen represents a worrying increase in such attacks. According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the dangers posed by Islamist terrorism in Germany have increased noticeably, especially after the recent events in the Gaza conflict. There have been numerous documented attacks in recent years, with IS still posing a notable threat that also affects security in Germany.

The currently ongoing trial has scheduled 22 days of negotiations until September 24th. Experts agree that increased attention to the radicalization processes and the integration of returnees from war zones is necessary to prevent similar scenarios in the future. Co-plaintiffs, including relatives of the victims and those injured, are closely following the trial, which is already marked by the brutal nature of the crime and the tragic consequences for society.

For more information about this case and the general situation (see vol.at, tagesschau.de and verfassungsschutz.de ).