Essen Knife Attack: Federal Prosecutor's Office Suspects Islamist Motive

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office considers the act one that could affect Germany’s internal security: Following the knife attacks in Essen, the Karlsruhe authority on Friday took over the investigation against the 17-year-old suspect. He is said to have planned an Islamist jihad against “infidels.” After the attack at a vocational school one week ago, in which a teacher was seriously injured, the Essen public prosecutor’s office initially led the investigation.

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Due to the special significance of the case, the Federal Prosecutor has now taken over. The accused, a Kosovar named Erjon S., is said to adhere to a radical Islamist ideology. From September 3, he is said to have developed the plan to act against “unbelievers” and to die himself as a “martyr,” the Federal Prosecutor’s Office explained. Two days later, he allegedly stabbed his teacher at the vocational school several times in the stomach with a large knife.

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The 45-year-old survived with serious injuries and is now out of danger. S. is also alleged to have committed a second act shortly afterward. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, he stabbed a man he did not know in the back on an open street. This victim was also seriously injured. While looking for further victims, the 17-year-old reportedly went twice to the Old Synagogue, but did not find any people he considered suitable.

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The suspect was later confronted by police officers. According to the police, he pulled out a knife during the arrest, and officers fired. He was also injured and taken to a hospital under guard. As early as Sunday, he was presented with an arrest warrant for attempted murder. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, he is being held in pre-trial detention.

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S. is said to have acted out of a radical Islamist conviction directed against Germany’s free social order. The Federal Prosecutor explained that the crime could therefore affect the internal security of the Federal Republic. There is strong suspicion of two counts of attempted murder, with the teenager allegedly acting out of base motives and with treachery. He is also accused of grievous bodily harm.

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Already on Thursday it became known that an Islamist motive was under consideration. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) told the state parliament’s interior committee that there were indications of this.

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He also stated that the student had previously come to the attention of the police for threats, a weapons offense, grievous bodily harm, and possession of child pornography. At his former school, he was also said to have caused problems and was temporarily classified as a person with potential risk.

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